Maternal Factors of Newborn Low Birthweight in Malaria Endemic Settings of Nanoro, Rural Burkina Faso

Abstract Background. In sub-Saharan Africa, the intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy with sulphadoxine pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) strategy is recommended to limit malaria consequences on birth outcomes. Ten year after IPTp-SP was adopted in Burkina Faso, we assessed the magnitude of low birthweight (LBW) and its maternal factors in Nanoro.Methods. A secondary analysis of data from a cross-sectional study was carried out in women who gave birth at Nanoro peripheral health centers using a binary multivariate logistic regression. Maternal socio-demographic factors, gyneco-obstetrical history and relevant medical characteristics were evaluated to identify associated factors. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results. Of 291 delivery records examined, 14 % of women received three or more doses of SP while 80% used bed nets the night before their admission for delivery. Malaria was detected in 36.1% and anemia in 52.9% of women. The average neonate birthweight was 2933 g and 12 % of them were born with a low birthweight. After multivariate analysis, first delivery (OR = 8.84, [95% CI: 3.72-21.01]), and being multiparous with history of stillbirth (OR = 5.03, [95% CI: 1.54-16.40]) were significantly associated with an increased risk of LBW.Conclusion. LBW is still prevalent in rural Nanoro and the uptake of three or more doses of SP for the IPTp was low. In addition, to improving the coverage of IPTp-SP to improve birthweight, an extension of the target of antenatal care to other known causes of LBW including curable sexually transmitted infections may be necessary.