사회 환경적 요인과 출생체중과의 관계

This paper explores a relationship between ecological and socioeconomic factors of individual and regional level on birth weight. Employing data from the vital statistics (Korea National Statistical Office, 2000) a cross-sectional study was conducted. As for factors of the individual level, sex of newborn, gestational stage, parents' age, parents' education, parents' occupation, and birth order were included. As for factors of the regional level, the percentage of high school graduates, local taxes paid per region, number of medical doctors per 10,000 people, and the percentage of water supply were included. The mean birth weight was 3,257 g and low birth weight was 3.8%. Newborn sex, gestational stage, parent's age, parent's education, parent's occupation and birth order were all independently related to the birth weight. Differences in birth weight by ecological and socioeconomic factors on regional level identified. Ecological and socioeconomic factors were associated with birth weight on individual and regional level.