Maternal factors which are affecting for the low birth weight

Abstract

The intervention in the time period of pregnancy and early childhood plays a prominent role in order to fulfill our wishes on Sri Lankan child population. Maternal protection during the pregnancy period is crucial as it directly affects to the development of the child fatality. In relation to study, child’s body weight at birth is considered as body mass Index (BMI) for the proper growth of the child the birth must be at least 2500g and births below 2500g weight is considered as low birth weight and those kids may not properly develop and immune to disease are in low level. It has taken Galle District Mahamodara maternity hospital pregnant mothers who delivered their babies on February 2017 as the population. According to that it has selected 289 pregnant in line with stratified random sampling method and gathered primary data with a questionnaire. The relevant data has been collected day after the babies’ birth and continued for the entire February month. The selected population comprises of 4 wards of post-delivery and samples were collected in line with the percentage representing every ward. Following are the identified independent variables Mother’s nutrition, Average family income, Employment of mother, Number of children mother feeds, Mother’s age, Number of family members, Mother’s educational level, Diabetic condition of mother, and High blood pressure condition of the mother. The dependent variable in the research is the weight of the children. Analyzes were done by using SPSS 10.1 software. According to the study multiple regression analysis has been conducted using an independent variables in order to describe dependent variable, the “child’s birth weight”. Y=𝛽0+𝛽𝑖𝑥𝑖+⋯……………+𝛽𝑘𝑥𝑘+𝜀" i = 1,2,3,……………..,k ' In line with research estimated multiple regression is shown below, BW = 1558.406+ 412.371 BMI+95.648 EL – 218.397 DC' The mother’s nutrition, mother’s educational level, mother’s diabetic condition variables have been identified that affects to child’s birth weight using multiple regression. Considering the studies carried out in different districts in Sri Lanka the above factors proves true. To minimize these negative impacts it is important to launching promotional programs awareness workshops on maternity nutrition, Identifying malnutrition and sick mothers and conduct special medical clinics for them and make aware the family members on pregnancy safety and nutritional needs