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Socio-Demographic Factors Associated with Low Birth Weight in Nepal Using Imputation of Missing Determinants
Authors: Usha Singh, Attachai Ueranantasun, and M. Kuning
Source: Pertanika Journal of Science and Technology, 26(2):615-626
Topic(s): Birth weight
Maternal health
Country: Asia
  Nepal
Published: APR 2018
Abstract: Birth weight is considered a factor that determines a baby’s survival and predicts longstanding health. Hence, proper estimation of prevalence and determinants that are associated with low birth weight (LBW) is necessary for reduction of LBW. However, data on birth weight from developing countries are usually incomplete. Therefore, this study is aimed at handling missing values on determinants and identification of factors associated with LBW. The child data set from the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), 2011 was applied in this study. It contained information on 5240 children, but 3318 children had missing values on birth weight. Hence, in this study 1922 infants with measured birth weight were analysed. Multiple imputation was applied to handle missing values on determinants. The results revealed that only one variable was significant with LBW. Mothers residing in the Eastern and Far-Western development region were more inclined to give birth to LBW. The results obtained after handling missing values is considered less biased than assuming non-missing values or ignoring missing values. This suggests that missing values on determinants should be handled rather than ignored or assumed to be non-missing.
Web: http://www.pertanika.upm.edu.my/Pertanika%20PAPERS/JST%20Vol.%2026%20(2)%20Apr.%202018/09%20JST%20Vol%2026%20(2)%20Apr%202018_JST-0739-2016_pg615-626.pdf