OBJECTIVES: 1. To measure the incidence of low birth weight from all institutional deliveries in a defined catchment area of urban Harare. 2. To estimate the relative proportions of preterm and small for gestational age (SGA). DESIGN: The study was descriptive and was conducted during the last three months of 1986. SETTING: The low risk maternity units in three high density suburbs, Highfield, Glen Norah and Glen View and the referral centre Harare Central Hospital. SUBJECTS: All babies born to women residing in the study areas in the maternity clinics and those transferred to the referral hospital were identified and weighed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: For low birthweight babies gestation was estimated by the Dubowitz method and perinatal outcome was recorded. RESULTS: During the three month study period in 1986, 2,056 babies in total were born; 223 (10.8%) of which were low birthweight. Of these 65 (44%) were preterm and 55 (37%) were SGA. CONCLUSION: The findings show a lower percentage of low birthweight and SGA babies than in many developing countries but higher than the norm for developed countries. The study demonstrates a need for resources to prevent low birthweight delivery and improve care for low birthweight babies.
OBJECTIVES: 1. To measure the incidence of low birth weight from all institutional deliveries in a defined catchment area of urban Harare. 2. To estimate the relative proportions of preterm and small for gestational age (SGA). DESIGN: The study was descriptive and was conducted during the last three months of 1986. SETTING: The low risk maternity units in three high density suburbs, Highfield, Glen Norah and Glen View and the referral centre Harare Central Hospital. SUBJECTS: All babies born to women residing in the study areas in the maternity clinics and those transferred to the referral hospital were identified and weighed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: For low birthweight babies gestation was estimated by the Dubowitz method and perinatal outcome was recorded. RESULTS: During the three month study period in 1986, 2,056 babies in total were born; 223 (10.8%) of which were low birthweight. Of these 65 (44%) were preterm and 55 (37%) were SGA. CONCLUSION: The findings show a lower percentage of low birthweight and SGA babies than in many developing countries but higher than the norm for developed countries. The study demonstrates a need for resources to prevent low birthweight delivery and improve care for low birthweight babies.
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Keywords:
Africa; Africa South Of The Sahara; Age Factors; Biology; Birth Weight; Body Weight; Demographic Factors; Developing Countries; Eastern Africa; Economic Factors; English Speaking Africa; Fetus; Gestational Age; Incidence; Infant; Low Birth Weight; Low Income Population; Measurement; Physiology; Population; Population Characteristics; Pregnancy; Reproduction; Research Methodology; Research Report; Social Class; Socioeconomic Factors; Socioeconomic Status; Urban Population; Youth; Zimbabwe