Abstract:
Average maternal weight gain in the study was 8.69kg with the standard deviation of 3.02kg
weight gain ranging from3kg to 18kg of the study sample. 30.2 percent gained less than 7kg
while 34.3 percent gained more than 9kg and 34.3 percent mothers gained between 7kg and
9kg. In the unvaried analysis, factors like BMI, and nutrition showed a positive and
significant relationship with maternal weight gain. (p0.05) Monthly income shows a highly
significant gain. (p0.01). This study sample showed negative relationship of maternal weight
gain with age and ethnicity. Home visits by Public Health Midwives (PHM) are highly
positive influencing factors for awareness raising. The major source of information on
weight gain during pregnancy was the PHM and the majority of services were received from
local ANC clinics. The incidence of Low Birth Weight (LBW) decreased with mother's
ages. It was highest in the . 19 years age group and declined, thereafter, incidence of LBW
increase with age, suggesting that elderly women were more prone to produce LBW babies,
although one would expect a significant rise in the incidence of LBW among grand multies.
The study result showed marginal criteria. It is recommended that greater emphasis should
be given to health education in the field and local clinics by using correct IEC. Home visits
by PHM should be promoted to reach every household. The health volunteers could be used
for this purpose. Counseling, increased access to knowledge regarding proper nutrition,
adequate rest during pregnancy, importance of family planning and developing a system to
recommend maternal weight gain based on BMI were proposed as measures to reduce the
incidence of low birth weight babies and to uplift health of mothers after delivery
