Effects of antenatal care on low birth weight of children in rwanda : evidence from the rwanda demographic health survey data 2014-2015

Abstract

Background: Pregnant women and their children’s health remain the global unfinished agenda in the most countries of the world especially in low- and middle-income countries. Low birth weight (LBW) subsequently has the harmful effects on the lifestyle of the child basically on his psychosocial and physiological development. Antenatal care is an important prospect characterized by vital interventions for pregnant women. This study aimed at identifying the effects ANC visits on birth weight babies of Rwanda in 2015. Methods: Cross-sectional study design was conducted for analyzing the effects of antenatal care on low birth weight children using the Rwanda Demographic Health Survey 2014/2015. Results: Results indicated that socio-demographic data were significantly associated with the low birth weight children. It was found that the pregnant women who attended four recommended ANC visits had lower low birth weight children than who attended less than who attended no and less than four antenatal care visits [OR=0.62; 95%CI(0.46-0.82), p<0.001]. The risk of having low birth weight children for the women who took no medical drugs for malaria were less likely to have low birth weight children compared to who took them [OR=0.32; 95%CI (0.13-0.83), p=0.018]. The marital status for the pregant women was found to be the risk factor of low birth weight children. The pregnant women who got married and/or living with the partners had a greater risk to have low birth weight children than the women who were single [OR=1.86; 95%CI(1.25- 2.76); p=0.002]. Conclusion: Completing ANC visits is appropriate way for reducing the birth weight of the children. To improve the maternal and child health is basically needed focusing on the improvement and management of the socio-demographic status of the pregnant. Promoting health education related to antenatal care, its recommended package and their effects on health of mothers and child needs to be prioritized.