Engdaw GT, Tesfaye AH, Feleke M, Negash A, Yeshiwas A, Addis W, Angaw DA, Engidaw MT. Effect of antenatal care on low birth weight: a systematic review and meta-analysis in Africa, 2022.
Front Public Health 2023;
11:1158809. [PMID:
37441651 PMCID:
PMC10335749 DOI:
10.3389/fpubh.2023.1158809]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background
Risk identification, as well as the prevention and management of diseases associated with pregnancy or other conditions that may occur concurrently, is the essential component of ANC.
Method
The observational follow-up and cross-sectional studies on the effect of antenatal care on low birth weight in Africa were conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Five computerized bibliographic databases: Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Hinari Direct were searched for published studies written in English till May 2022. The risk of bias assessment tools developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute for cross-sectional and observational follow-up research was used, and the caliber of each included study was assessed. Seven papers were included, with a total of 66,690 children participating in the study.
Results
Seven studies met the selection criteria. Prenatal care and low birth weight were linked in four of the seven studies included in the review. The pooled odd ratio for low birth weight in the random-effects model was 0.46 (95% CI: 0.39, 0.53). The pooled odds ratio for low birth weight was 0.21 (95% CI: 0.19, 0.22) and 0.21 (95% CI: 0.19, 0.22), respectively, among pregnant women who had no antenatal care follow-up and those who had antenatal care follow up.
Conclusion
Women who attended at least one antenatal care appointment were more likely than their counterparts to have a baby of normal weight. Interventions to reduce low birth weight in Africa should focus on providing adequate antenatal care and quality healthcare services to women with low socioeconomic status.
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