Association of Maternal Sociodemographic Characteristics and Prepregnancy Biometric Indices With Birth Weight Outcome Among Ghanaian Women in the Kumasi Metropolis

Abstract

Background:Maternal sociodemographic characteristics affect birth weight, an important predictor of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Maternal lipid levels during pregnancy have been linked to abnormal birth weight. Notwithstanding, there is lack of data on the maternal sociodemographic characteristics and early maternal lipid levels on birth weight outcomes in Ghana. This study therefore sought to determine the relationship between maternal sociodemographic characteristics,early maternal lipid levels and birth weight outcome among Ghanaian women in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana.Methods: Maternal lipid levelswere assessed in the first trimester from 246 pregnant women attending AntenatalClinic in the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana, between January 2014 and October 2016. Maternal sociodemographic informationwas collected through standard medical record forms at first antenatal visit. Pregnancy was tracked till delivery and birth weight measured.Results: The mean maternal age was 27.42±6.10 years and that of parity was 2.57±1.42. Mean gestational age was 36.60±2.46 weeks. The proportion of study participants decreased from those whose highest education was JHS, no formal education, SHS, primary and then university. The means of maternal pre-pregnancy systolic and diastolic blood pressures were 118.81±25.15mmHg and 75.04±14.02mmHg respectively. Both total cholesterol and triglycerides had their respective means and ranges of 4.02±0.09mmol/L and 1.47±0.05 mmol/L. Conclusion:The birth weight of neonates of mothers with no formal education was significantly higher compared to mothers with formal education at <95 th percentile of pre-pregnancy maternal triglycerides. Mean neonatal birth weight of the Akan mothers was significantly lower than that of the Northernersbut higher than their Fante counterparts at <95 th percentile of pre-pregnancy maternal total cholesterol level.

Preliminary Study on Hand Dimensions as Potential Predictors of Ethnicity of Female Populations in the Forest and Savanna Zones of Ghana

“…These present ndings are in line with study ndings reported in Nigeria between the Delta Igbos and Isokos where statistical signi cance were observed in the mean left and right hand breadths as well as the mean left hand lengths of both ethnic groups [10]. People from savanna zone of Ghana are noted for their physical activities, culture and lifestyle [21], which could explain the high hand dimensions observed for Northerners. The present ndings also, contradict study report which found no statistical signi cance difference in hand dimensions when ve ethnic groups were studied [16].…”

Preliminary Study on Hand Dimensions as Potential Predictors of Ethnicity of Female Populations in the Forest and Savanna Zones of Ghana

“…These present ndings are in line with study ndings reported in Nigeria between the Delta Igbos and Isokos where statistical signi cance were observed in the mean left and right hand breadths as well as the mean left hand lengths of both ethnic groups (Igbigbi et al, 2018). People from savanna zone of Ghana are noted for their physical activities, culture and lifestyle (Bimpong, et al, 2020), which could explain the high hand dimensions observed for Northerners. The present ndings also, contradict study report which found no statistical signi cance difference in hand dimensions when ve ethnic groups were studied (Hasanur et al, 2023).…”