The Relationship between Biological, Psychological-Cognitive and Social - Cultural Characteristics of Parents with Infant's Birth Weight in Isfahan Province

Low birth weight considered as an important indicator of health of each country and identifying of its causative factors is necessary. The aim of present study was to determine the relationship between the biological, psychological-cognitive and social - cultural characteristics of parents and infant’s birth weight in Isfahan province. In this study 910 recently delivered mothers of Isfahan province in 2009 were selected by stratified and cluster sampling methods. Data was collected using a self-administrated questionnaire and the Enrich marital satisfaction test. Obtained data analyzed by SPSS software in two categories of descriptive and inferential statistics by using logistic regression model. The prevalence of low birth weight infants, unwanted pregnancy and marital dissatisfaction was 9.5 %, 38.7 % and 29 % respectively. 15/6 % of pregnancies were below 20 years old and 22 % was above of 35 years old. 38.9 % mothers were exposed to cigarette smoke. Mean weight gain during pregnancies was 9 kilograms. 33 % of mothers had high blood pressure during pregnancy. 26.7 % and 31.9% had history of abortion and bleeding, respectively. 23/1 % of women were employed during pregnancy. 19.8 % gave twin birth. 21/1 % of parents were relative of each other. In 29.7 % the type of delivery was cesarean. Factors such as; severe marital dissatisfaction, abnormal blood pressure during pregnancy, being employed during pregnancy, weight gain < 5 kg during pregnancy, pregnancy below the age of 20 significantly increase the possibility of low birth weight in infant (a=0.05). The findings of current study confirm the relation between biological, psychological-cognitive and social - cultural characteristics of parents and low birth weight in infants in Isfahan, which made useful information regarding prevention of the problem.