title: Risk Factors for Low Birthweight in Zimbabwean Women: A Secondary Data Analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Low birth weight (LBW) remains the main cause of mortality and morbidity in infants, and a problem in the care of pregnant women world-wide particularly in developing countries. The purpose of this study was to describe the socio-demographic, nutritional, reproductive, medical and obstetrical risk factors for delivering a live LBW infant at Harare Maternity Hospital, Zimbabwe.
  
  
  METHODS
  A secondary data analysis from data obtained through a questionnaire and delivery records was conducted. Linear regression models with a complimentary log-log link function were used to estimate the relative risks for all LBW, term LBW and preterm LBW.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The frequency of LBW was 16.7%. Lack of prenatal care (adjusted relative risk [ARR] 1.69, 95% CI 1.44, 1.98), mother's mid-arm circumference below 28.5 cm, (ARR 1.35, 95% CI 1.19, 1.54) and rural residence (ARR 1.22, 95% CI 1.04, 1.40) increased the risk of LBW. Eclampsia, anemia, and ante-partum hemorrhage, were associated with LBW (ARR 2.64, 95% CI 1.30, 5.35; ARR = 2.63, 95% CI 1.16, 5.97; and ARR = 2.39, 95% CI 1.55, 3.68), respectively. Malaria increased the risk of LBW (ARR = 1.89, 95% CI 1.21, 2.96). Prenatal care, infant sex, anemia, antepartum hemorrhage, premature rapture of membranes and preterm labor were associated with the three LBW categories. History of abortion or stillbirth, history of LBW, malaria, eclampsia, and placenta Previa, were associated with all LBW and preterm LBW, while pregnancy induced hypertension, and number of children alive were associated with all LBW and term LBW.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LBW frequency remains high and is associated with nutritive, reproductive, medical and obstetrical factors. Preterm LBW and term LBW have similar and also different risk factors. Understanding the role of different risk factors in these different LBW categories is important if the goal is to reduce LBW frequency, and its complications, in Zimbabwe.
authors.affiliation: University of Pretoria, School of Health Systems and Public Health, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Pretoria, South Africa; University of Zimbabwe, Department of Community Medicine, Harare, Zimbabwe; School of Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Walden University, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America.
authors.forename: Shingairai A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Feresu
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Michigan, United States of America.
authors.forename: Siobán D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Harlow
authors.affiliation: Elizabeth Glacier AIDS Foundation, Washington, D.C., United States of America.
authors.forename: Godfrey B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Woelk
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D062486:Public Health Surveillance; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult; D015030:Zimbabwe / Q000453:epidemiology