The Relationship between Pesticide Exposure in Pregnant Women and the Incidence of LBW at the Sawangan 1 Public Health Centre, Magelang Regency

Abstract

Low birth weight (LBW) or babies less than 2,500 grams is the basic cause of neonatal death. The risk factors for LBW are influenced by maternal, fetal, and environmental factors. One of the environmental factors is a history of exposure to pesticides during pregnancy. Exposure to pesticides received by pregnant women can affect fetal growth. The purpose to determine the relationship between pesticide exposure in pregnant women and the incidence of LBW. This research is an analytic observational quantitative research with a case control approach. The study population was all mothers with live births in the last 1 year at the Sawangan 1 Health Centre. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling with a sample of 50 respondents. The data was processed using the Chi-Square statistical test. Exposure to pesticides in the exposed category was 22 respondents (66.7%) in the case group and 11 respondents (33.3%) in the control group. Unexposed category was 3 respondents (17.6%) in the case group and 14 respondents (82.4%) in the control group. The results of statistical tests using Chi-Square in this study showed p value = 0.001 (p < 0.05). There is a significant relationship between pesticide exposure and the incidence of LBW. Farming women are expected to minimize the use of pesticides during pregnancy and when working, use complete personal protective equipment to avoid exposure.