Knowledge on low birth weight among pregnant women and their partners in Anuradhapura District

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Birth weight has potential to cause life cycle effects of under-nutrition. Knowledge on low birth weight (LBW) among pregnant mothers and their partners is an important determinant. OBJECTIVES: The aim was to describe the knowledge on LBW among pregnant mothers and their partners in the District of Anuradhapura. METHOD: A cross-sectional study design was used among 806 participants, selected by a systematic sampling method to represent the pregnant mothers (n=403) and their partners (n=403) in Anuradhapura District. Data were collected by a pretested interviewer administered questionnaire. Percentages and 95% Confidence Intervals were used to describe knowledge. Chi Square test was used to compare the groups. RESULTS: Majority knew that fetus grow (women: n=315, 79.3%; partners: n=216, 54.4%) even though only a minority knew ways to monitor it. The majority identified negative consequences of impaired fetal growth. The majority of women (n=257, 64.7%) knew the expected birth weight. However, only a minority knew their BMI (n=88, 22.2%) or the expected weight gain (n=55, 13.9%). Majority managed to correctly identify most determinants of LBW. The majority (women; n=287, 72.3%; partners: n=205, 51.6%) identified all the nutrient groups needed in a well-balanced meal. However, the knowledge on locally available food items rich in selected nutrient groups was poor. The percentage of women with good knowledge was significantly higher compared to the partners in majority of assessed components. CONCLUSIONS: Participants reflected satisfactory knowledge on most components. However, the knowledge may be below the application level. Partners’ knowledge was poor compared to the pregnant women.