Factors Associated with Preterm Birth and Low Birth Weight in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates

Zainab Taha, Ahmed Ali Hassan, Ludmilla Wikkeling-Scott and Dimitrios Papandreou
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Zainab Taha: Department of Health Sciences, College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi 144534, UAE
Ahmed Ali Hassan: Taami for Agricultural and Animal Production, Khartoum, Sudan
Ludmilla Wikkeling-Scott: Department of Health Sciences, College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi 144534, UAE
Dimitrios Papandreou: Department of Health Sciences, College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi 144534, UAE

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 4, 1-10

Abstract: Both preterm birth and low birth weight (LBW) represent major public health problems worldwide due to their association with the catastrophic effects of morbidity and mortality. Few data exist about such adverse pregnancy outcomes. The current study aimed to investigate the prevalence of and factors associated with preterm birth and LBW among mothers of children under two years in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Data were collected in clinical and non-clinical settings across various geographical areas in Abu Dhabi. The data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. A total of 1610 mother–child pairs were included in the current study. Preterm birth rate was 102 (6.3%) with a 95% confidence interval [CI] (6.1%, 6.5%) and the LBW rate was 151 (9.4%) with a 95% CI (9.3%, 9.5%). The mean (SD) of gestational age (GA) and birth weight at delivery was 39.1 (1.9) weeks and 3080.3 (518.6) grams, respectively. Factors that were positively associated with preterm birth were Arab mothers, maternal education level below secondary, caesarean section, and LBW. LBW was associated with female children, caesarean section (CS), first child order, and preterm birth. The current study highlighted the need for further interventional research to tackle these public health issues such as reducing the high CS rate and improving maternal education.

Keywords: preterm birth; low birth weight; caesarean section; maternal education; United Arab Emirates (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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