Table 3.
Comparative analysis of enrolled mothers and newborns stratified by birth weight (< 2,500 grams vs. ≥ 2,500 grams) in the Kassena Nankana District, northeastern Ghana*
| Characteristic | Birth weight < 2,500 grams | Birth weight > 2,500 grams | P |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. enrolled (%) | 418/2,279 (18.3) | 1,861/2,279 (81.7) | |
| Male:female ratio | 0.79 (185:233) | 1.01 (939:922) | 0.02 |
| Primigravid births, % | 34.9 | 21.8 | < 0.0001 |
| Multiple births, % | 14.6 | 1.9 | < 0.0001 |
| Mother' age, years, mean ± 95% CI | 25.62 ± 0.66 | 27.36 ± 0.30 | < 0.0001 |
| Mother's education, years, mean ± 95% CI | 3.23 ± 0.38 | 3.57 ± 0.19 | NS |
| Bed net use during pregnancy, % | 50.2 | 54.3 | NS |
| ANC clinic visits, mean ± 95% CI | 4.22 ± 0.22 | 4.69 ± 0.11 | < 0.0001 |
| S/P doses during pregnancy, mean ± 95% CI | 1.74 ± 0.11 | 1.78 ± 0.05 | NS |
| Reporting no S/P use, % | 18.2 | 16.9 | NS |
| Meeting IPTp target (3 S/P) % | 28.9 | 32.7 | NS |
| Birth weight, kg, mean ± 95% CI | 2.18 ± 0.02 | 3.05 ± 0.02 | < 0.0001 |
| Cord blood Hb (g/dL), Mean ± 95% CI | 14.37 ± 0.28 | 14.22 ± 0.11 | NS |
| Severe neonatal anemia (Hb < 11.0 g/dL) (%) | 32/319 (10) | 100/1,569 (6.4) | 0.02 |
| Fetal anemia (Hb < 12.5 g/dL) (%) | 77/319 (24.1) | 330/1,569 (21.0) | NS |
| All-cause infant mortality by 20–33 months (%) | 10.0 | 4.2 | < 0.0001 |
*
CI = confidence interval; NS = not significant; ANC = antenatal care; S/P = sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine; IPTp = intermittent preventive treatment; Hb = hemoglobin.