Exploring Socio-Economic Inequalities in Low Birth Weight: A Statistical Decomposition Approach

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Pediatrics
• Socioeconomic Determinants of Health

Background:

• Low birth weight (LBW) is a significant global public health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, contributing to child mortality and morbidity.
• Pakistan faces high rates of child mortality and malnutrition, making LBW a pressing issue within the country.
• Factors such as poor maternal nutrition and limited healthcare access exacerbate LBW risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the socioeconomic determinants of low birth weight (LBW) in Pakistan.
• To investigate the concentration of LBW across different socioeconomic strata.
• To examine the influence of household wealth and parental education on LBW risk.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the 2017-18 Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey.
• Employed logistic regression, standard, Wagestaff, and Erreygers concentration index analysis.
• Applied concentration curves to visualize socioeconomic disparities in LBW.

Main Results:

• Low birth weight (LBW) is concentrated among socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, indicated by negative concentration indices for wealth and parental education.
• A nonlinear relationship exists between socioeconomic factors and LBW, with rural middle/higher-income families showing a slightly elevated risk compared to urban counterparts.
• Maternal education showed limited effectiveness, while paternal education demonstrated a slight protective effect against LBW.

Conclusions:

• Socioeconomic status, particularly household wealth and parental education, are crucial protective factors against low birth weight (LBW).
• Elevated LBW risk is observed in rural middle and higher-income households compared to urban areas.
• Father's education may offer a protective role against LBW, especially in rural Pakistani settings.