A PRE-COUNSELLING STUDY ON THE ROLE OF THE COMMUNITY PHARMACIST IN PREDICTION AND PREVENTION OF RISK FACTOR OF LOW BIRTH WEIGHT IN A RURAL AREA OF GUNTUR DISTRICT (ANDHRA PRADESH)

Abstract

Low birth weight (LBW) (birth weight < 2.5 kg) is a major challenging public health problem
because it is a leading cause of neonatal death and a major risk factor for infant and under-five morbidity and
mortality. The aim of this study was to identify the predictors of low birth weight amongst the babies born in rural
areas of the Guntur district. Mortality and morbidity can be prevented by addressing the factors associated with low
birth weight. The objective was to assess the individual and combined effects of socio-demographic, parental
anthropometric, obstetric and reproductive health-related factors, health service use during pregnancy, maternal
nutrition status, and behavioral predictors on the birth weight of newborns.