Estimation of Prevalence and Factors Associated with Low Birth Weight in Aspirational Districts of India

Abstract Background: Low birth weight (LBW) is a birth weight that is below 2,500 g, which is a serious issue that affects the whole healthcare, and it is one of the top reasons of morbidity and mortality of newborns in the world. India is a major burden on the world with a significant part of it being in socioeconomically poor areas like Aspirational Districts. The objective of this study was to estimate prevalence of LBW and discuss how far it is related to maternal characteristics, in these districts. Methods: The present research relies on secondary analysis of the data of the National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5, 2019-21), the cross-sectional survey that covered the whole country and was carried out on the national level. It was analysed on 26,042 women 15 to 49 years of age living in Aspirational Districts with most recent single institution live birth and a registered birth weight. LBW was defined as < 2500 g. Just the survey-weighted descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed using version 9.4 of the SAS taking into consideration clustering, stratification, and sampling weights. Results: Results: The prevalence of LBW was 17.3%. The odds were found to be higher in younger mothers (1524 years), women in low wealth quintile, less educated women underweight women, and anaemic women and pregnancy complications. Weighted scale: Adequate antenatal care (4 or more visits) and high maternal BMI had low odds. There was geographic difference between districts. Conclusion: Aspirational Districts still suffer LBW. Results show a correlation with maternal socioeconomic and maternal health factors. Since it was cross-sectional in nature, interpretation of the results is expected to be correlational. Enhancing maternal nutrition and fair access to antenatal care could be used to decrease LBW.