PREVALENCE AND DIFFERENTIALS OF LOW-BIRTH-WEIGHT IN NIAMEY, NIGER

This study provides population representative data on live births occu rring in Niamey, Niger during the period 1980 to 1985. A total of 5097 live births were systematically sampled from maternity registers over the study period. Due to legislation and incentives to register all l ive births, between 90 and 95 per cent of all live births are represen ted in this study. The data here suggest that low birth weight (LBW) p revalence may be lower in this urban area than it is in the region as a whole; and that the demographic risk factors are similar to those fo und in other developing countries. Finally, in many developing countri es, maternity coverage of attended births may be quite high, suggestin g that record or prospective studies examining trends in LBW and risk factors for perinatal outcomes might be convenient and implemented at very low cost.