Abstract

DAZA, Virginia et al. Low birth weight: exploring of some risk factors at the San José teaching hospital in Popayán, Colombia. Rev Colomb Obstet Ginecol [online]. 2009, vol.60, n.2, pp.124-134. ISSN 0034-7434.

Introduction: low birth weight (LBW) is a major public health problem and maternal-infant health indicator in developing countries. A birth weight below 2.500 g contributes towards poor short- and long-term maternal-infant health outcomes. Objective: establishing risk factors for LBW in the San José teaching hospital in Popayán, Colombia, 2005-2006. Methods and materials: this was a case-control study. Cases (n=344) were newborn (<2.500 g) who had been born in this hospital; the controls (n=483) were newborn (>2.500 g) who were born on the same day. An interview was conducted to collect information regarding risk factors from post-partum females. A logistic regression model was used for estimating risk factors by Odds Ratio (OR) with confidence intervals (95%CI). Results: having a middle/upper socio-economic class background (OR=0,33; 95%CI 0,12-0,91), the newborn being female (OR=0,73; 95%CI 0,55-0,98), having had more than 5 prenatal controls (OR=0,54; 95%CI 0,39-0,75), having no background of previous LBW (OR=0,30; 95%CI 0,15-0,58) were protective factors for LBW. Having a background of urinary tract infection (OR=1,78; 95% CI 1,30-2,45) and having undergone a previous caesarean section (OR=1,88; 95%CI 1,13-3,16) were low birth weight risk factors. Conclusion: LBW was thus seen to be associated with coming from a lower socio-economic class. Interventions regarding the lack of social equity is therefore an important factor in reducing LBW in this third-level hospital's area of influence.

Keywords : risk factor; case-control study; infant; low birth weight; Colombia; infant mortality.

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