Author/Authors :
Ebadi, Faezeh Student Research Committee - Department of Health Services Management - School of Health Management and Information Sciences - Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Ghashghaee, Ahmad Student Research Committee - Department of Health Services Management - School of Health Management and Information Sciences - Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Bragazzi, Nicola Luigi School of Public Health - Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL) - University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy , Martini, Mariano Section of History of Medicine and Ethics - Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL) - University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy , Sepehrian, Razieh Department of Health Services Management - School of Health Management and Information Sciences - Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Ghaemmohamadi, Mozhgan sadat Student Research Committee - Department of Health Services Management - School of Health Management and Information Sciences - Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Saeedi Shahri, Sahar Sadat Student Research Committee - Department of Health Services Management - School of Health Management and Information Sciences - Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Behzadifar, Meysam Department of Epidemiology - Faculty of Health and Nutrition - Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran , Aryankhesal, Aidin Department of Health Services Management - School of Health Management and Information Sciences - Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Behzadifar, Masoud Health Management and Economics Research Center - Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abstract :
Background: Low birth weight (LBW), a crucial determinant of neonatal complications, represents a major public health concern
worldwide. Epidemiological research is of crucial importance for designing and implementing ad hoc interventions for this issue, helping
and guiding decision- and policy-makers in each country to prevent the increased prevalence of LBW in infants through estimating
the prevalence rate, identifying and controlling major risk factors. The present investigation aimed to systematically assess LBW prevalence
rate in Iran and its determinants.
Methods: PubMed/Medline via Ovid, Embase, Web of Science and Scopus as well as Magiran, SID and Irandoc were searched from
inception until November 2016. Also, the grey literature (via Google Scholar) was mined. The DerSimonian-Laird model was exploited.
The I2 and Q-test tests were used to investigate heterogeneity between the studies. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses were performed
to ensure the robustness and validity of our findings. Different cumulative meta-analyses were conducted stratifying according
to the year of publication and sample size. Any potential bias in publication was assessed carrying out the Egger’s test.
Results: LBW prevalence rate was estimated to be 8% (95%CI: 7-9) in Iran. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the stability of finding.
Studies were cumulated by the year of publication, and the results did not change pre- and post-cumulative meta-analysis. No publication
bias could be observed.
Conclusion: LBW prevalence rate in Iran is well comparable with the prevalence figures of both developed and developing countries.
This could be due to the health reforms implemented in Iran throughout the years.
