The relationship of the structural and intermediate social determinants of health with low birth weight in Iran: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and Aim: Primary experience of intrauterine period is the essential basis of the life for the embryo. Therefore paying attention to it can lead to reduced health inequities. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of the structural and intermediate social determinants of health with low birth weight in Iran Materials and Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed based on the studies conducted in Iran. We searched seven databases (Iranmedex, Magiran, SID, Irandoc, PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus) by using keywords of social determinants of health, low birth weight and equivalents of them to find relevant articles published between 2000 and 2016. Data from relevant studies were extracted by two persons separately and evaluated by using the Stroop checklist. After extracting the required data, they were combined using a random model and the heterogeneity of the studies was evaluated by the I2 index. STATA-11 software was used for data analysis. Result: Thirty articles were analyzed in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The sample size included 42142 people. The overall odds ratios for the relationship of the structural and intermediate social determinants of health with LBW were estimated as 1.52 (1.24%-1.85: %95 CI) and 2.24 (1.85%-2.71: %95 CI) respectively. Conclusion: Considering the importance of low birth weight in the health of newborns, basic measures should be taken to prevent the occurrence of this problem by identification of its risk factors and people at risk, improvement of living standards and regular prenatal care, counseling before pregnancy and improvement of the nutritional status of pregnant women. Keywords: Low birth weight, Pregnancy outcome, Social determinants of health, Meta –analysis.   Received: May 13, 2017     Accepted: Apr 9, 2018