-
Essay / Low birth weight: definition of low birth weight
In general, low birth weight is considered a serious challenge to maternal and neonatal health in developed and developing countries. According to statistics, the mortality rates of infants weighing less than 2500 g and 1500 g are 40 and 200 times higher, respectively, than those born with a weight greater than 2500 g [5]. The prevalence of low birth weight is higher in Asian countries than in other regions of the world, which is mainly due to maternal malnutrition before and during pregnancy. Micronutrient deficiencies during pregnancy have serious consequences on fetal development [2]. Health Literacy: Health literacy represents a set of social and cognitive skills such as reading, listening, analysis and decision-making, as well as the ability to apply these skills in different health situations; this phenomenon is not necessarily related to the individual's level of education or basic reading skills [6]. Health literacy represents the cognitive and social skills that promote a person's motivation and ability to understand and use health information to maintain and promote health. With the improvement of populations' access to health