Page 33 - nhms2016 maternal and child findings

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National Health And Morbidity Survey 2016 : Maternal And Child Health (MCH) Volume II : Findings

As for those with normal birth weight, the highest prevalence was in Johor [94.3% (95% CI: 92.11-
95.85)] and the lowest in Sarawak [83.8% (95% CI: 78.98-87.69)]. The prevalence among males was
90.9% (95% CI: 89.64-92.01), whereby among females were 89.7% (95% CI: 88.22-91.05). By
ethnicity, the highest prevalence of full term infants was among the Chinese [93.2% (95% CI: 90.59-
95.07)] and the lowest was among Other Bumiputeras [84.9% (95% CI: 81.76-87.52) (Table 5.1.2.2).

Birth weight classification by sociodemographic characteristics

The overall prevalence for extremely low birth weight (<1000 g) was 0.7% (95% CI: 0.34-1.36), 4.5%
(95% CI: 2.72-7.28) for very low birth weight (1000 g - <1500 g) and 94.8% (95% CI: 92.07-96.68)
were of low birth weight (1500 - <2500 g). For the extremely low birth weight infants, the prevalence
was higher in males [1.0% (95% CI: 0.38-2.39) than females [0.4% (95% CI: 0.16-1.06)]. Based on
ethnicity, Chinese showed the highest prevalence [1.7% (95% CI: 0.39-6.73)] and those with income
group of RM5000 and above had the highest prevalence [1.6% (95% CI: 0.61-4.01)].

Among very low birth weight infants, the prevalence was higher in males [5.2% (95% CI: 2.77-9.58)
than females [3.8% (95% CI: 1.69-8.26)]. For the ethnicity of the child with very low birth weight,
Indians had the highest prevalence [6.6% (95% CI: 1.81-21.10)]. Furthermore, for very low birth
weight, the highest prevalence was in those with income of RM1000–RM1999 [9.8% (95% CI: 3.69-
-23.76)] followed by those with income less than RM1000 [1.5% (95% CI: 0.30-6.84)].

For low birth weight, the prevalence was higher among females [95.8% (95% CI: 91.46-97.98)] than
males [93.8% (95% CI: 89.52-96.45). The prevalence of LBW was highest among those of Other
Bumiputera ethnicity [96.4% (95% CI: 90.71-98.67)]. In terms of household income, group of less
than RM1000 had highest prevalence [98.5% (95% CI: 93.16-99.70) and the lowest prevalence were
from income group RM1000–RM1999 [89.9% (95% CI: 76.18-96.14) (Table 5.1.2.3).

5.1.3. Conclusion

In Malaysia, the overall prevalence of LBW was higher among pre-term infants as compared to full
term infants. Furthermore, higher prevalence of LBW was reported among separated/ divorced/
widowed/ never married mothers, household head with no formal education and household income
groups less of than RM1000.

5.1.4. Recommendations

i. Strengthen maternal nutrition of women in the reproductive age group to address the
problem of macro and micro nutrition deficiency especially during prenatal and
antenatal periods.

ii. Strengthen the nutrition and health promotion on the importance of appropriate
antenatal care among women in the reproductive age group.