Is knowledge of health behavior associated with low birth weight?

To examine the relationship of patient knowledge concerning seven health behaviors identified by the U.S. Public Health Service Expert Panel and low birth weight.

Interviews of 538 women delivering at an inner-city hospital in New Orleans were conducted. Information concerning patient characteristics, health behavior knowledge, and birth weight was collected. Data were analyzed as dichotomous and compared using odds ratios. Logistic regression was chosen to calculate adjusted odds ratios, including only factors found to be associated with the tested end point, low birth weight.

A majority of women knew all seven health behavior items. Individual items were known by > or =80% of respondents. Knowledge associated with low birth weight included avoidance of alcohol and drugs, taking of prenatal vitamins, and following a proper diet. Information on all seven was not associated with a reduction in low birth weight. Other factors found to be associated with low birth weight included inadequate prenatal care, absence of health insurance (primarily Medicaid), and a prior low birth weight infant. Logistic regression confirmed both the importance of the last three factors, and the lack of association with health knowledge about all seven items.

Knowledge concerning health advice behavior recommended by the U.S. Public Health Service was more widely known than previously thought. While individual components were associated with a reduction in low birth weight, overall knowledge was not.