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Reliable data on birth weight is usually not available through routine information system. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of low birth weight (LBW) and antenatal care practices in a rural area of Haryana. Matriculate field worker visited 10 villages in Haryana, weighed 269 (86.5%) newborns and inter- viewed mothers about antenatal care practices. Birth weight of less than 2500g was
categorized as low birth weight. LBW
prevalence was 25.3%. Mean birth weight was 2.70
±0.45 kg (2.7±0.46 kg in males
and 2.68±0.43 kg in female). Only 14% mothers had taken prophylactic iron and folic acid (IFA) tablets for 90 days or more despite the fact that contact with health services was quite high as reflected by the high (97.6%) coverage of tetanus vaccination.
Operational research to address the problem of inadequate prophylaxis
and treatment for iron deficiency anemia and poor antenatal contacts is
needed.
Arun Kumar Aggarwal,
Assistant Professor,
Rajesh Kumar,
Additional Professor and Head,
Department of Community Medicine,
Post Graduate Institute of Medical
Education and Research,
Chandigarh 160012.
India.
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