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Birthweight and sociobiological factors in Ilorin, Nigeria

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 July 2008

Ehigie Ebomoyi ,
Olalekan O. Adetoro  and
Ananda R. Wickremasinghe
Ehigie Ebomoyi
Affiliation:
Department of Applied Health Sciences, Tulane University, New Orleans, USA
Olalekan O. Adetoro
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria
Ananda R. Wickremasinghe
Affiliation:
Department of Applied Health Sciences, Tulane University, New Orleans, USA
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Summary

Social and biological factors influencing birthweight of 3053 Ilorin babies were studied. The mean birth weights were 2·998 kg ±0·133 (SD) for males and 2·932 kg ± 0.154 (SD) for females. Multiple regression analysis showed that maternal weight, height, age, education and ethnicity, and child's sex, significantly affected birthweight of infants. Some quadratic and interaction terms also contributed significantly to the prediction of birthweight. The strategies to control the incidence of low birth weight are discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Biosocial Science , Volume 23 , Issue 4 , October 1991 , pp. 417 - 423
Copyright
Copyright © 1991, Cambridge University Press

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