Factors Associated with Birthweight

Nikmah Ayu Ramadhani Amir¹⁾, Uki Retno Budihastuti²⁾, Bhisma Murti¹⁾

¹⁾Masters Program on Public Health, Universitas Sebelas Maret

²⁾Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Moewardi Hospital, Surakarta

ABSTRACT

Background: Birth weight is an important indicator of an infant’s health. Birth weight represents a stabile influence on brain development from childhood to adult­­hood, regardless of whether a child is little or large at birth, over or under the “normal limit” of 2500 grams. This study aimed to examine factors associated with birthweight.

Subjects and Method: A cross sectional study was conducted at Ngemplak Prima­ry Health Center, Boyolali District, Central Java, Indonesia, from May to June 2018. A sample of 203 children under five years old were selected by simple ran­dom sampling. The dependent variable was birthweight. The independent variables were family income, gestational age, and maternal nutritional status (mid up­per arm circumference/MUAC). The data was collected by questionnaire and were analyzed by multiple linear regression.

Results: Birthweight was positively associated with gestational age (b= 0.09; 95% CI= 0.03 to 0.15; p= 0.004), maternal MUAC (b= 0.14; 95% CI= 0.07 to 0.20; p<0.001), and family income (b= 0.09; 95% CI= 0.06 to 0.12; p<0.001).

Conclusion: Birthweight is positively associated with gestational age, maternal MUAC, and family income.

Keywords: birthweight, gestational age, maternal nutritional status, family income

Correspondence: Nikmah Ayu Ramadhani Amir. Masters Program of Public Health, Sebelas Maret University, Jl. Ir. Sutami 36 A, Surakarta 57126, Central Java. Email: ad1892nr@gmail.com. Mobile: +6282323957575

DOI: https://doi.org/10.26911/theicph.2018.03.47

View PDF