title: Prevalence and determinants of low birth weight: the situation in a traditional birth home in Benin City, Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The traditional birth attendant delivers majority of pregnant women in Nigeria.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed at determining the prevalence and associated risk factors for delivery of low birth weight (LBW) neonates in a Traditional Birth Home (TBH)in Benin City, Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 780 pregnant women who received ante-natal care at a TBH and live singletons born to them were recruited for this study. Venous blood was collected from all pregnant women at onset of labour, and haemogblobin concentration determined using standard method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of low birth weight was 6.3%, and was significantly affected by maternal age (P =0.039), gestational age (P=0.019), maternal height (P = 0.001), marital status (P = 0.015), and time of registration (P = 0.016). Being in a polygamous union, was significantly associated with the prevalence of LBW (OR = 13.640; 95%CI: = 6.148, 30.261; P = < 0.0001). Maternal anaemia was identified as a risk factor for the delivering of LBW neonates (OR = 2.797; 95% CI = 1.555, 5.029; P = 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of low birth weight was 6.3%. Intervention by appropriate agencies is advocated to reduce LBW in TBHs in Nigeria.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Health Sciences, Igbinedion University, Okada, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Henry Bankole
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Oladeinde
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gyneocology, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Edo State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Oladapo Babatunde
authors.initials: OB
authors.lastname: Oladeinde
authors.affiliation: School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, P.M.B 1111, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Omoregie
authors.affiliation: Immunology Unit, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria; Faculty of Health and Social Care Sciences, St Georges University of London and Kingston University, London.
authors.forename: Adekunle Abdufattai
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Onifade
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000740:Anemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008423:Maternal Age; D008880:Midwifery; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011295:Prenatal Care; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Nigeria; TBH; low birth weight; risk factors