Program Number: LB239 Influence of Maternal Dietary Variety and Socio-demographic Characteristics on Low Birth Weight of Neonates in the Cape-Coast Metropolis Dan Yedu Quansah 1, Hei Yang1, Daniel Boateng3 , Hyojee Joung1,2* 1Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, 2Institute of Health and Environment, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea, 3Julius Global Health, University Medical Center, Utrecht University, the Netherlands. INTRODUCTION RESULTS RESULTS Table 1. Association of Socio-demographic factors and birth weight Figure 1. Odds Ratio of LBW by Socio-demographic and Lifestyle Factors Maternal nutrition plays a crucial role in fetal growth, development and birth outcomes including birth weight and Apgar score. Research shows a strong positive relationship between adequate maternal nutrition and positive birth outcomes. This relationship has been much more inconsistent in human studies due to factors such as poor maternal dietary variety and socio-demographic factors. Improved maternal Dietary variety and socio-demographic characteristics could influence maternal nutrient adequacy to improve neonatal birth weight. Variables No.. of Subjects No. of LBW (%) P-Value Age <20years 20 -30 30+ 16 322 82   6(37.5) 162(50.3) 16(19.5) 0.000 Education No formal Primary/JSS SHS Tertiary 68 157 67 128 41(60.3) 69(43.9) 16(23.9) 58(45.3) Employment Yes No 289 131 114(39.4) 70(53.4) 0.007 Marital status Single Married Co-habiting 142 248 30 82(57.7) 82(33.1) 20(66.7) Monthly income (GHS) </=300 301- 500 500+ 215 83 116 109(50.7) 47(56.6) 28(24.1) Birth order 1 2-3 4+ 236 141 43 124(52.5) 47(33.3) 13(30.2) Number of births 2 3+ 239 106 75 124(51.9) 25(23.6) 35(46.7) Weight gain (12kg) <12 12+ 321 99 145(45.2) 29(29.3) 0.034 OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the influence of maternal dietary variety and socio-demographic factors on birth weight of neonates delivered at the Cape Coast Regional Hospital in the Cape coast metropolis of Ghana. SUBJECTS & METHODS Design: Cross-sectional Subjects 420 mothers who delivered at the Cape Coast Regional Hospital Data collection tool A semi structured questionnaire Anthropometric variables Maternal weight during pregnancy Determined by subtracting weight at first ANC and that of last ANC prior to delivery. Neonatal Birth Weight Recorded after birth with the help of hospital delivery team. Neonates with birth weight < 2,500g classified as low birth weight infants. Dietary variety information Obtained using the FAO dietary diversity questionnaire. The score was calculated by summing the number of food groups consumed throughout the period of pregnancy. Data Analysis Univariable associations tested using chi-square. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the predictors of low birth weight. *p<0.05; **p<0.01; ***p<0.001; AOR=Adjusted Odds Ratio *LBW means Low Birth Weight CONCLUSION Maternal dietary variety and socio-demographic characteristics are associated with low birth weight of neonates. Improving maternal lifestyles such as healthy eating and increased dietary diversity score can be recommended to promote neonatal health in the study area. *P-values based on Chi-square test. *LBW means Low Birth Weight Table 2. Association of Food Diversity with Low Birth Weight Number of food groups eaten Daily % Low birth weight p-value OR [95% CI] One Two Three Four Five or more 46.9 54.1 45.9 43.9 34.6   0.149 1.67 [0.89, 3.14] 2.23 [1.17, 4.24]* 1.61 [0.88, 2.95] 1.48 [0.86, 2.55] 1.00 *Corresponding author: Prof. Hyojee, Joung. (E-mail: hjjoung@snu.ac.kr) * P-value based on Chi-square test