Low Birth Weight and Underweight Association in Children Aged 6-59 Months in Palembang, Indonesia: A Cross-Sectional Study

摘要

Underweight and low birth weight are important markers for The Global Nutrition Targets in 2025, expressed especially in newborns, with a 30 percent reduction in between 2012 and 2025. This study was, therefore, aimed to comprehensively analyzing the association between low birth weight and underweight, as well as other influencing factors. In addition, a community based cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of underweight among children between the ages of 6 to 59 months in Seberang Ulu I subdistrict of Palembang, with the sample being women with children that satisfied the inclusion criteria. These include wards that were either the first or last child in the family and single birth, while families that have moved and mothers who refused to join this study were excluded Furthermore, the sample consisted of about 114 eligible mothers, selected using simple random sampling technique. Data were collected during house visits by face-to-face interviews using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and anthropometric measurements using weight scales. Univariate, bivariate using chi-square test and multivariate using multiple logistic regression were performed in this study. The results showed that a higher risk for children with low birth weight to become underweight, in contrast with normal babies, after controlling by diarrhoea & ARI in the last 1 month, mother's hand washing practice, availability of latrine and household monthly income (p-value<0.05). Furthermore, a balanced nutrition during pregnancy and regular hand washing practices by mothers tend to also prevent the occurrence of infectious disease, subsequently reducing the incidence of underweight in children under the age of five Therefore, it is suggested that regular hand washing practice is encouraged, in order to promote a healthy lifestyle.