Abstract
BACKGROUND: Tobacco use during pregnancy is a significant public health issue associated with adverse outcomes, including low birth weight (LBW) in infants. This study investigates the association between tobacco use and pregnancy outcomes, specifically LBW, among women of prime childbearing age (20-34 years) by using nationally representative data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 5, conducted between June 2019 and April 2021, were analyzed. The prevalence of LBW and its association with tobacco use were determined using univariate regression. Subsequently, multivariable logistic regression was employed to predict the association between tobacco use and LBW, adjusting for sociodemographic factors, illness, physical characteristics, and state-wise variations. RESULTS: The weighted prevalence of LBW babies was 18.16% (95% CI: 17.98-18.33), with a higher prevalence among tobacco users (21.39%, 95% CI: 20.29-22.53). Women who used smoked forms of tobacco were found to be at a 1.78 times higher risk (95% CI: 1.08-2.93) for LBW babies. Although smokeless tobacco use was associated with LBW in bivariate analysis, this association was not significant after adjusting for other factors. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the increased burden of LBW among women aged 20-34 years who used tobacco. These findings underscore the urgent need to develop and implement targeted tobacco control policies for women of childbearing age to improve pregnancy outcomes.