Maternal Factors Determining Low Birth Weight in Punjab: A Secondary Data Analysis

Incidence of low infant birth weight implies the poor situation of public health facilities in any country. Despite the fact that Pakistan ranks worlds second in low weight births, there is serious lack of research on the issue. The present research is based on a secondary data analysis of Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, Punjab (MICS, 2011) to analyze the maternal risk factors associated with low infant birth weight. The intent of pregnancy, breast feeding, mode of delivery, antenatal care utilization and demographics (age, education and type of place of residence) are analyzed in association with low birth weight among mothers (N=2593) of reproductive age (15-49). The results are indicated by t test, chi square, binary logistic regression and multivariate analysis. The incidence of low birth weight is found to be 24.5% in the total sample of 2593 from Punjab province, Pakistan. Findings indicate that mother's illiteracy, lower age, rural place of residence, unintended pregnancy, not breastfeeding and non-utilization of antenatal care are significant risk factors of low birth weight. Prospective researches are needed that assess medical and social risk factors of low birth weight in other provinces of Pakistan.