TITLE:
Maternal and obstetric risk factors for low birth weight and preterm birth in rural Gambia: a hospital-based study of 1579 deliveries
AUTHORS:
Abdou Jammeh, Johanne Sundby, Siri Vangen
KEYWORDS:
Adverse Birth Outcomes; Low Birth Weight; Preterm; the Gambia
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.1 No.3,
September
30,
2011
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Low birth weight and prematurity are risk factors for perinatal morbidity and mortality, which is high in Sub Saharan African countries. We determined the frequency of and maternal and obstetric risk factors for low birth weight and preterm birth among hospital births in rural Gambia. Method: We performed a hospital-based retrospective analysis of deliveries from July to December 2008 in two rural hospitals. Maternity records were reviewed and abstracted of the mother’s demographic and reproductive characteristics, obstetric complications and foetal outcome. The maternity records contain important information maternal health and complications during pregnancy and intrapartum period. The records also contain information about the newborn’s vital status and birth weight. To determine the association between low birth weight (LBW), preterm birth (PTB) and maternal demographic characteristics and obstetric complications we calculated odds using logistic regression. Main outcome measure(s): Low birth weight (