Abstract
Introduction
Low birth weight (LBW), defined as infants weighing ? 2500 grams at birth, is a major public health concern with an estimated 16.4% worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries, including Cambodia. It is an important risk factor for early childhood mortality and morbidity. This study measured the prevalence of low birth weight and examined the factors associated with low birth weight among newborns in the coverage areas of the Chhnork Trou health center.
Methods
Secondary data analysis using data from the cross-sectional study from the rapid survey conducted in July 2017 by the School of Public Health, NIPH. Data analysis was conducted by using STATA software version 14.0. Descriptive analysis was conducted to describe the sociodemographics of the participants, and bivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with LBW among newborns in the coverage areas of the Chhnork Trou health center.
Results
A total of 116 respondents were included in the analysis. The mother’s mean age was 30.2 years (SD = 6.4 years). The average ANC visit was 4.1 times (SD = 2.1). The findings indicated that the prevalence of LBW among newborns in the coverage areas of the Chhnork Trou health center was close to 9.6%. The analysis found no factors significantly associated with LBW. However, the study indicated that the prevalence of LBW among children born to mothers with no education was higher (12.5%) than among those born to mothers with a primary education (8.2%), a secondary education (11.8%) or higher education (<1.0%). LBW prevalence among children born to mothers who accessed ANC visits during pregnancy (8.4%) was substantially lower than that among those whose mothers did not attend ANC visits (25.0%). LBW was higher among children born to mothers delivered at private health facilities (11.1%) than among those born to mothers who delivered at public health facilities (9.6%).
Conclusion
The prevalence of LBW among newborns in the coverage areas of the Chhnork Trou health center remained high. It is still a critical public health concern that should be further controlled, intervened, and implemented following the policies of the National Center for Maternal and Child Health in Cambodia in those areas. Determining effective ways to educate women with low education with information and support for antenatal care will help prevent LBW, which could improve the health status of infants, eventually contributing to the reduction of neonatal mortalities.