Journal of Education and Health Promotion

Abstract BACKGROUND: Preterm low birth weight (PLBW) is a leading perinatal problem in developing
countries. PLBW is considered as a leading cause of neonatal death in the 1st year of life, with problems
in childhood and adulthood. Several studies have suggested a possible relationship between PLBW
and periodontal status of the expectant mothers. The present study was conducted to determine the
association between the maternal periodontitis and the low birth weight (BW) of the babies.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study consisted of 200 primipara mothers ranging between
18 and 35 years old, with a mean age of 23.96 years. The mothers were categorized based on the
weight of the infants as cases (BW <2500 g) and as controls (BW ≥2500 g). Age, mean weight,
height, body mass index, and periodontal status of the mothers as well as weight of the babies were
recorded. Periodontal parameters were assessed using the community periodontal index (CPI). The
data were recorded, analyzed, and statistically compared using the Chi‑square test (χ2
).
RESULTS: BW of the babies was regressed against CPI. Periodontitis was significantly associated
with decrease in BW of the babies (P < 0.0001).
CONCLUSION: Our findings showed an association of maternal periodontal disease with PLBW that
emphasizes to promote good oral hygiene of the expectant mothers during routine prenatal visits.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: One of the probable risks of low birth weight (LBW) is low body growth at teenage,
and most of the parents are concerned about it. This study was conducted to compare the body
growth of girls at teenage in two groups.
METHODOLOGY: In this descriptive‑comparative research, the body growth of 350 girls (250
students having normal birth weight (NBW) and 125 students having LBW) at the ninth grade in
Isfahan, Iran, was studied. These students were chosen randomly out of 13 select schools from six
districts of education in Isfahan, Iran. The data were analyzed by Independent t‑test, Chi‑square
test, and Mann–Whitney U‑test.
RESULTS: This study showed that there is a meaningful difference in weight, height, BMI, and the
age of menarche. The highest weight, height, and BMI frequency (52.8 kg, 162.8 cm, and 3.31,
respectively) belongs to girls having NBW compared with girls having LBW (50.6 kg, 159.3 cm and
3.36, respectively) and Independent t‑test showed that weight and height average and body mass
index (BMI) of girls having NBW are higher meaningfully (P < 0.001). In addition, the girls having NBW
had reached the age of menarche at 12.36 ± 1.12 and 12.09 ± 1.01 at girls having LBW. Furthermore,
there was a meaningful difference (P < 0.001) between the ages of menarche.
CONCLUSION: Regarding the existence, it is recommended that the children having LBW should
be kept under special care. Of course, the resulted difference is not very important and concerning
for the parents, but further study is needed to reach the final conclusion.

Abstract Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Almost 15% of all pregnant women can develop potentially life‑threatening
complications. As a result, identification of high‑risk pregnancy at earliest stage will be useful in
directing appropriate intervention. Hence, the current study was done to determine the prevalence
and outcome of high‑risk pregnancy among antenatal women in rural Puducherry.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A record‑based longitudinal study was done during March 2018
among 569 antenatal women who have attended rural health center of tertiary care institute. High‑risk
pregnancy was classified based on the guidelines from Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan
and outcome assessment based on the obstetric and neonatal outcomes.
RESULTS: Among 569 antenatal case record reviewed, 315 (55.3%) were in the age group of
20–25 years and majority (463, 81.4%) belonged to below poverty line families; 410 (74.3%) registered
their current pregnancy within the first trimester. The prevalence of high‑risk pregnancy among study
participants was 18.3% (95% confidence interval: 15.3%–21.7%). Majority (81.9%) had term delivery.
Regarding obstetric and neonatal outcomes, majority had spontaneous vaginal delivery (73.9%);
about 10.4% gave birth to low‑birth weight baby, and only 1.7% had stillbirth. Parity, socioeconomic
status, and unfavorable outcomes such as low‑birth weight, preterm, and postterm delivery were
associated with high‑risk pregnancy.
CONCLUSION: The current study found that almost one‑fifth of the pregnant women in rural area have
high‑risk pregnancy. Unfavorable obstetric and neonatal outcomes were common among high‑risk
cases. Hence, early detection of high‑risk pregnancy needs to be done at primary health‑care level
to improve the maternal, obstetric, and neonatal outcomes.

Abstract Introduction: Children are more risk‑prone group of the population and low birth
weight (LBW) is the leading cause of newborns’ mortality and morbidity. LBW is defined
as child’s birth weight lower than 2500 g. Many maternal and fetal factors are determined
as risk factors of LBW. This study tries to detect related factors to LBW and effect of them
on children’s growth pattern up to sixth month of life in Health centers of Urmia city, Iran.
Materials and Methods: A cross‑sectional study was carried out in Urmia city using
registered data from mothers` documents. All related data such age and weight of infants,
mothers’ age, gestational age (GA) at the time of delivery, time gap between two pregnancies,
past history of abortion, prenatal care history, systemic and underlying diseases, hemoglobin
of mothers during pregnancy, and pattern of infant’s growth up to sixth month of age were
registered in a questionnaire. All registered data were transferred to SPSS 15 software and
analyzed. Results: Mean ± SD of birth weight was 3071 ± 625.66 g. There was a significant
relationship between birth weight and mother’s age (P < 0.001) and weight (P < 0.001).
Children of mothers younger than 18 years had much birth weights. There was a
significant relationship between birth weight and GA during delivery (P < 0.001). Children
of preterm labor had lower birth weights. In twins, LBW was more prevalent (P < 0.001).
Conclusion: Our results show that LBW is related to multiple causes and that most of
them are preventable with educational programs and also strict and regular prenatal care.
Decreasing incidence of LBW children can be achieved by cooperation between different
parts of health and clinical systems.

Abstract Introduction: Growth and development monitoring could lead to general judgment about
children’s health. With advances in NICUs establishment, the survival rate of very low birth
weight (VLBW) neonates has increased in many countries including Iran. Because of the lack of
studies about growth and development pattern of low birth weight (LBW) and VLBW neonates
in Iran, the present study aimed to compare growth and development of normal, low and very
low birth weight neonates at 18 months of age. Materials and Methods: In a cross‑ sectional
descriptive study, 214 children with age 18 months were enrolled (90 LBW, 90 LBW and
34 VLBW) and their growth and development were assessed. Data gathering tool was a
researcher made questionnaire including anthropometrics measures and developmental key
points. Data analyzed by descriptive (mean and SD) and inferential (ANOVA) tests using SPSS
version 15. Results: There were significant differences in the mean of anthropometric indexes
between three groups. Majority of subjects in three groups had normal weight growth trend.
Mean scores of gross motor and fine motor development indexes had significant association with
birth weight. Meanwhile, there was no significant association between mean scores of social/
cognitive and also language developmental aspects and birth weight. Conclusion: Findings
revealed that in LBW and VLBW children, growth indexes at the age of 18 months are so far
from those of NBW neonates. Further nationwide prospective studies, with a longer period of
time is needed to estimate when Iranian LBW children reach at the levels of NBW ones.

Abstract Introduction: The present study was connected in order to evaluate the relationship between
biological, cognitive and psychosocial characteristics of mothers and the weight of infant at
the time of birth. Materials and Methods: In order to conduct this research a sample of 910
women among recently delivered mothers of Isfahan province in 2009 were selected. From
stratified sampling and cluster sampling according to the percentage of population in each of
the cities of Isfahan Province was used. The data was gathered with a questionnaire prepared
by the researcher in order to evaluate the biological cognitive and psychosocial characteristics
of mothers, in addition to the Enrich marital satisfaction test. After collecting data, the analysis of
the data was done with SPSS software in two categories of descriptive and inferential statistics
by using logistic regression model. Results: The results showed that the prevalence of low
weight infants was 9.5 percent and 38.7 percent of pregnancies was unwanted. Twenty‑nine
percent of mothers had marital dissatisfaction. 15/6 percent of pregnancies were below
20 years old and 22 percent was above of 35 years old. 38.9 percent of mothers were exposed
to cigarette smoke. The average of weight gain during pregnancies was 9 kilograms. Thirty
three percent of mothers had high blood pressure during pregnancy, 26.7 percent had history
of abortion and 31.9 percent had history of bleeding. 23/1percent of women was employed
during pregnancy, 19.8 percent gave twin birth and 21/1 percent of parents were relative of
each other, 29.7 percent of deliveries were done in cesarean way. Conclusion: The results
of this study showed that severe marital dissatisfaction, abnormal blood pressure during
pregnancy, being employed during pregnancy, weight gain less than 5 Kg during pregnancy,
pregnancy below the age of 20 can meaning fully increase the possibility of low birth weight in
infant (α=0.05). The results were consisting with the previous findings and indicated that some
of the applicable benefits of this research can be recording of information about each delivery
in the whole country with holding training
workshops of before and during pregnancy
skills by welfare organization.