ISSN 2736-1594
International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ISSN: 2736-1594 Vol. 9 (3), pp. 001-005, March, 2021. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Risk factors of preterm delivery of low birth weight (plbw) in an African population
Claude Bayingana1,2*, Claude Mambo Muvunyi2 and Charlene W. J. Africa1
1Department of Medical Biosciences, Faculty of Science, University of the Western Cape, Modderdam Road, Belville 7535, South Africa.
2Department of Clinical Biology, National University of Rwanda, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire-Butare, Rwanda.
Accepted 22 January, 2021
Abstract
More than 20 million infants in the world (15.5% of all births) are born with low birth weight. Ninety-five percent of them are in developing countries. The objective of this study was to examine different factors which may contribute to preterm delivery of low birth weight (PLBW) in a recent sample of Rwandan birth. The study sample included 200 randomly selected women admitted to the department of obstetrics-gynecology of the teaching hospital of Butare in Rwanda. Mothers were asked to complete a questionnaire and obstetrics records were used in order to identify factors which might pose a health risk to them and their infants. Maternal weight, height, history of previous preterm and healthy conditions of the children in the family showed a significant relationship with PLBW. Maternal level of education, number of pregnancies of the mother, urinary tract infection, sexually transmitted disease, antibiotic administration, diabetes, history of heart disease, alcohol consumption and smoking showed a relationship with PLBW but the relationship was not significant. More studies are required for a better understanding of the mechanism leading to preterm delivery of low birth infants.
Key words: Africa, pregnancy, preterm delivery, low birth weight infants.