Atsa'am DD, Agjei RO, Akingbade TJ, Balogun OS, Adusei-Mensah F. A novel scale for assessing the risk of low birthweight: Birthweight questionnaire.
J Eval Clin Pract 2024;
30:1422-1428. [PMID:
38923095 DOI:
10.1111/jep.14038]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
The birthweight of a newborn is critical to their health, development, and well-being. Previous studies that used maternal characteristics to predict birthweight did not employ a harmonised scale to assess the risk of low birthweight (LBW).
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to develop a new instrument that uses items on a uniform scale to assess the risk of an LBW in a pregnant woman.
METHODS
Item response theory was employed to evaluate a similar existing scale, and some weaknesses were identified.
RESULTS
Based on the observed weaknesses of the existing scale, a new uniform scale was developed, which is a 3-point Likert scale consisting of seven items.
CONCLUSION
The scale, termed birthweight questionnaire, is a valuable tool for collecting data that could assist in assessing the risk of an LBW at every stage of pregnancy.
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