Full-term low birth weight and its relationship with the socioeconomic conditions of municipalities in Antioquia: Spatio-temporal analysis

Abstract

Introduction: Low birth weight is one of the main health predictors for childhood and adulthood. It is highly prevalent in developing countries and in children from poorer social classes. Objective: To analyze the geographical distribution and the trends of full-term low birth weight in the 125 municipalities of the department of Antioquia and their association with the socioeconomic conditions of the municipalities between 2000 and 2014. Materials and methods: We conducted a longitudinal ecological study. The dependent variable was the prevalence of full-term low birth weight in 125 municipalities. The socioeconomic conditions of the municipalities were evaluated using the Human Development Index and the unsatisfied basic needs index. Results: Between 2000 and 2014, the prevalence of full-term low birth weight in Antioquia was 2.7 per 100 live births; this prevalence decreased steadily over time. This trend was also observed between regions, with the exception of the Occidente and Urabá regions, which showed increases of approximately 20.0%. The results also showed a reduction in geographical differences between the 125 municipalities, with the coefficient of variation decreasing from 20.6% to 13.72% over the 14-year period. Finally, we found a positive social gradient between the full-term low birth weight prevalence and the level of development in the municipalities. Conclusion: Full-term low birth weight prevalence decreased between 2000 and 2014, with some regions showing greater reductions than others. Paradoxically, less developed and poorer areas had a lower prevalence, which may be a result of underreporting of birth weight information in these municipalities.

Keywords

• Health inequalities
• spatial analysis, geographical mapping, social determinants of health