Abstract

BARBAS, Danielle da Silva; COSTA, Antonio José Leal; LUIZ, Ronir Raggio  and  KALE, Pauline Lorena. Determinants of insufficient and low birth weight in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2001. Epidemiol. Serv. Saúde [online]. 2009, vol.18, n.2, pp.161-170. ISSN 1679-4974.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5123/S1679-49742009000200007.

The present study aimed to investigate whether insufficient birth weight and low birth weight share the same determinants, based on data of the Live Birth Information System (Sinasc) in the city of Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2001. The outcomes Insufficient Birth Weight (2,500-2,999g) and Low Birth Weight (<2,500g) were analyzed separately and compared to the Satisfactory Birth Weight (3,000-3,999g). Of the total newborns eligible for the study (78,582), 8.7% and 24.8% presented, respectively, low birth weight and insufficient birth weight. Based on the univariate analysis, the mother's educational and age level, prenatal care and gestational were stronger associated with low birth weight than to insufficient birth weight. Based on the hierarchical Poisson regression modeling, the mother's educational level and the number of prenatal care consultations weren't statistically associated to insufficient birth weight. Insufficient birth weight determinants were found to be the same as of the low birth weight, in spite of the quantitative and qualitative limitations of information available at Sinasc.

Keywords : low birth weight; insufficient birth weight; maternal and child health; epidemiology; information systems.

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