title: [Prevalence and associated factors of low birth weight in the provincial hospital of Mohammedia--Morocco].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Low birth weight (LBW) constitutes a major public health problem, both in developed than in developing countries, due to its extent and its strong association with childhood morbidity and mortality.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  to estimate prevalence of low birth weight and determine its related factors in the Prefectoral Hospital in Mohammedia.
  
  
  METHODS
  We carried out a cross sectional study from May to July 2012 which concerned 713 newborns and theirs mothers. We collected information about socioeconomic and anthropometric factors and characteristics of pregnancy. A multivariate analysis was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the 713 studied newborns, 38 had LBW; the prevalence of LBW was 5,3% (95% CI: 3,7%-6,9%). Factors significantly associated with LBW in multivariate analysis were: mother age ( OR 9,27; IC95%:2,15-39,85), prematurity (OR 9,34; IC95%:1,29-67,32), twin pregnancy (OR 195,07; IC 95%:30,38-125,39) and gender of new born (OR 5,26; IC 95%:1,61-17,18). Well-balanced diet (OR 0,12; IC 95%:0,04-0,34) and hours of sleep equal or more than 8 per day (OR 0,20; IC 95%:0,07-0,58) were protector factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Actions of education, screening and treatment of the diseases occurred in the pregnancy are necessary. Facilitating the access of pregnant women to high quality antenatal care, promoting a healthy lifestyle as a balanced diet, fighting against the active and passive smoking and offering a psychological support to the pregnant woman is necessary to reduce the prevalence of LBW and to improve the maternal and child health.
authors.forename: Samira
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hassoune
authors.forename: Said
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bassel
authors.forename: Samira
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nani
authors.forename: Abderrahmane
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maaroufi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male; D008423:Maternal Age; D009018:Morocco / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D059285:Pregnancy, Twin; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult