Table 2 Distribution of low birth weight by participant characteristics in the South Asian region (N = 171,213)
Variables | Total N (%) | Low birth weight (< 2500 g) N (%) |
|---|---|---|
Sex of child |  | p < 0.001 |
Male | 91,986 (53.9) | 13,977 (15.8) |
Female | 79,227 (46.1) | 13,938 (18.6) |
Maternal age |  | p < 0.001 |
15–19 years | 5248 (3.4) | 1093 (21.7) |
20–34 years | 147,784 (87.3) | 24,152 (17.1) |
35 years and above | 18,181 (9.3) | 2670 (15.9) |
Maternal education |  | p < 0.001 |
No formal education | 31,745 (17.6) | 5976 (19.4) |
Primary | 21,052 (11.9) | 3817 (19.7) |
Secondary | 90,965 (52.4) | 14,621 (17.1) |
Higher | 27,451 (18.2) | 3501 (13.1) |
Paternal education |  | p < 0.001 |
No formal education | 140,788 (82.3) | 23,337 (17.3) |
Primary | 5619 (3.2) | 912 (17.5) |
Secondary | 18,318 (10.5) | 2810 (16.4) |
Higher | 6488 (4.0) | 856 (13.9) |
Household wealth |  | p < 0.001 |
Poorest | 38,916 (20.2) | 7445 (20.3) |
Poor | 38,395 (20.5) | 6513 (18.6) |
Middle | 34,629 (20.0) | 5359 (16.6) |
Richer | 31,787 (20.2) | 4752 (15.7) |
Richest | 27,486 (19.1) | 3846 (14.0) |
Place of residence |  | p < 0.001 |
Urban | 39,981 (30.2) | 6166 (16.1) |
Rural | 131,232 (69.8) | 21,749 (17.5) |
Cooking fuel |  | p < 0.001 |
Non-polluting | 80,490 (51.4) | 11,943 (15.7) |
Polluting | 90,719 (48.6) | 15,971 (18.6) |
Maternal smoking |  | p < 0.001 |
Yes | 9631 (3.1) | 1466 (20.2) |
No | 159,330 (96.9) | 26,130 (17.0) |
Birth order |  | p < 0.001 |
Primipara | 60,572 (35.9) | 10,623 (18.3) |
Multipara | 110,641 (64.1) | 17,292 (16.4) |
ANC visits |  | p < 0.001 |
≥ 4 visits | 102,666 (60.5) | 15,691 (16.0) |
1–3 visits | 56,487 (32.2) | 9917 (18.4) |
No visit | 12,060 (7.3) | 2307 (20.4) |
Iron-folic acid consumptions in days |  | p < 0.001 |
> 90 days | 76,892 (46.2) | 11,526 (15.7) |
1–90 days | 68,894 (39.3) | 11,764 (18.1) |
None | 25,427 (14.5) | 4625 (18.8) |
Variables for additional analysis | Â | Â |
Number of antenatal visits |  | p < 0.001 |
≥ 4 visits | 102,666 (60.5) | 15,691 (16.0) |
< 4 visits | 68,547 (39.5) | 12,224 (18.8) |
Iron-folic acid consumption in days |  | p < 0.001 |
≥ 180 days | 44,342 (27.7) | 6555 (15.1) |
< 180 days | 126,871 (72.3) | 21,360 (17.9) |
Antenatal visits and iron-folic acid consumption |  | p < 0.001 |
≥ 4 visits and ≥ 180 days | 33,145 (20.9) | 4715 (14.5) |
≥ 4 visits and < 180 days | 69,521 (39.5) | 10,976 (16.9) |
< 4 visits and ≥ 180 days | 11,197 (6.7) | 1840 (17.2) |
< 4 visits and < 180 days | 57,350 (32.7) | 10,384 (19.1) |