Factors influencing low birth weight and prematurity in Botswana

The purpose of this study was to investigate the socioeconomic, biological and behavioural factors influencing low birth weight and prematurity in Bot swana. Data were from the Botswana Obstetric Record covering the years 1990 to 1995, and were analysed with both descriptive statistics and multivaria te analysis. The study found that the major positive risk factors for low b irth weight were: late and less frequent attendance of antenatal care servi ces, having experienced pregnancy termination before, low or no education, unmarried motherhood and place of birth. With regard to prematurity, age, l ate and less frequent attendance of antenatal care services, unmarried moth erhood and place of birth were found to be the major positive risk factors. The importance of early and regular antenatal care attendance, marriage an d place of birth cut across both low birth weight and prematurity.