MATERNAL KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, AND AGE IN RELATION TO LOW BIRTH WEIGHT RISK: EVIDENCE FROM PRIMARY HEALTH CENTERS IN BATU AMPAR DISTRICT, TANAH LAUT REGENCY

Abstract

Background: Low Birth Weight (LBW) is one of the important indicators of infant health that contributes to the increase in neonatal morbidity and mortality. Factors that affect the incidence of LBW include the mother's knowledge, attitude, and age during pregnancy. Objective: This study aims to determine the relationship between knowledge, attitudes, and maternal age to the incidence of LBW in the working area of the Tajau Pecah Health Center and the Durian Bungkuk Health Center, Batu Ampar District in 2025. Methods: This study used an observational analytical design with a cross-sectional approach. The study population was all mothers who gave birth in the working area of the two health centers with a sample of 115 people selected in total sampling. Data were collected through questionnaires and analyzed using the Fisher Exact  test with a significance rate of 95% (α = 0.05). Results: The results showed that there was a significant relationship between maternal knowledge and the incidence of LBW (p = 0.002) and between maternal attitudes and the incidence of LBW (p < 0.001). Meanwhile, there was no significant relationship between maternal age and LBW incidence (p = 0.525).  Conclusion: Knowledge and attitudes of pregnant women have an important role in preventing the occurrence of LBW, while the age of the mother in this study did not show a meaningful relationship. It is recommended to health workers to improve education and coaching of pregnant women to strengthen knowledge and positive attitudes during pregnancy.