Determinant factors of low birth weight in Indonesia: Findings from the 2017 Indonesian demographic and health survey.

BACKGROUND

Low birth weight (LBW) is still a significant problem in Indonesia because it affects the growth and development of infants. It is also one of the factors that increase the risk of developing chronic disease later in life.

PURPOSE

The study aimed to analyse the determinants of LBW in Indonesia.

METHODS

This cross-sectional analytic study used secondary data from the 2017 Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey (IDHS). Data on the maternal factors (maternal age, frequency of antenatal care (ANC) visits, education, and maternal smoking status), children's birth order, and socio-demographic factors of the 14,239 respondents were examined. The association between LBW and the independent variables was analysed using bivariate analysis with a chi-square test (X), followed by multivariate analysis in the form of binary logistic regression.

RESULTS

LBW was identified in 960 infants (6.74%). Fewer than four ANC visits [AOR = 1.86; 95% CI = 1.44-2.42], uneducated mothers [AOR = 2.09; 95% CI = 1.00-4.37], and mothers who finished only primary school [AOR = 1.45; 95% CI = 1.05-2.00] were significantly associated with the incidence of LBW.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed that the frequency of ANC visits was a dominant factor in the incidence of LBW.

PRACTICE IMPLICATION

To reduce LBW in Indonesia, the government must increase ANC visits through health promotion programmes and maintain ANC facilities and quality.