Recording of birth weight in a primary health care setting in India.
The feasibility of recording birth weights in two community development blocks in rural areas was tested for general application of the procedure in a Primary Health Care setting. During the four year study period, the birth weights were recorded in 1,919 babies in one block and 1,596 in the other with a success rate of 98%. Although the incidence was 22% in block A and 34% in block B, the mean birth weights were statistically similar (p = greater than 0.05). The mean birth weights and the weight ranges recorded by research staff and PHC workers were comparable. The adoption of a simple, technically feasible, inexpensive, culturally acceptable technique which is suitable for local conditions is recommended. This should be accomplished in a step-wise manner.
D001294:Attitude to Health; D001724:Birth Weight; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011996:Records; D012424:Rural Population; D012737:Sex Factors; D013609:Taboo