This study was conducted to assess factors associated with low birth weight (LBW) of newborns in rural Philippines. To establish the factors associated with LBW, the Kid's Recode data file of the 2017 Philippine National Demographic and Health Survey (PDDHS) were utilized. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 5,643 mother-newborn pairs. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the survey participants. Logistic regression techniques were used to determine the significant factors of LBW in rural Philippines. Adjusted Odds Ratios (AOR) with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI) and p-value <0.05 in the multivariable model were used to determine the significant factors associated with LBW.

The data were generated from all rural women aged 15-49 years who were either permanent residents or visitors of the selected households included in the 2017 (Philippine National Demographic and Health Survey (PNDHS). The data were analyzed using descriptive analysis and logistics regression techniques. From the 5,643 mother-infant dyads included in the analysis, 10.9%, and 10.8% were from Bicol and Eastern Visayas region, respectively with the highest number of respondents, and only 3.3% were from CALABARZON region. Almost half were aged 20 to 29 years with majority being married. The majority of women had secondary level of education. Slightly more than half had no work making the 60.6% considering themselves poor while only 17% were rich. More participants had two number of children ever born, while majority of them does not own a land.

Results showed that mother's marital status, mother's occupation, household wealth status, land ownership, number of and initial antenatal care visit, symptoms or condition experienced during pregnancy (except for high blood pressure), source of drinking water, toilet facility, and type of cooking fuel were not associated with low birth weight (LBW). On the other hand, mother's age, mother's education, number of childbirths, antenatal iron supplementation, and high blood pressure experienced during the pregnancy period, were found to be associated with LBW. In this study, rural residency in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) decreases the risk of LBW by 45%. The result showed that socio-demographic characteristics (region, mother's age, mother's education, and number of childbirths) and maternal status (antenatal iron supplementation, high blood pressure experienced during pregnancy) among mothers were significantly associated factors of LBW in rural Philippines. However, household environmental characteristics of rural Filipino mothers were not found to be significantly associated with LBW.

Implications for helpful social intervention including the development of strategies in the mitigation of anemia during pregnancy and health promotion strategies to promote heath antenatal care practices, and antenatal iron supplementation that will pave the way to better pregnancy outcomes.

The association of these factors with LBW in the urban setting can also be worth investigating. It can also be helpful to explore on the environmental or lifestyle characteristics and best antenatal care practices of rural residents in the Cordillera Administrative Region in relation to lower occurrences of LBW. Results of this study can be the basis of scaling up good practices in other regions of the country in lowering LBW rates. It can also be helpful to explore on the environmental or lifestyle characteristics and best antenatal care practices of rural residents in the Cordillera Administrative Region in relation to lower occurrences of LBW. Results of this study can be the basis of scaling up good practices in other regions of the country in lowering LBW rates.  

Thesis (Master of Science-Rural Development)

Includes appendices and bibliographical references