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Bajo peso al nacer en Uruguay: implicaciones para las políticas de salud

Author

Listed:
  • R. Todd Jewell

    (Departament of Economics, University of North Texas)

  • Patricia Triunfo

    (Departamento de Economía, Facultad de Ciencias Sociales, Universidad de la República)

Abstract

This study analyzes the probability of low birthweight birth using a sample representing all births in Uruguay during 2003. Data from the Perinatal Information System allow us to estimate the effects of health inputs and risk factors on birthweight outcomes for a less-developed country. The results indicate that the probability of low birthweight is negatively correlated with adequacy of prenatal care usage and maternal educational attainment, while this probability is positively correlated with smoking during pregnancy, low body mass index, first pregnancies, pre-gestational hypertension, and the existence of a prior low birthweight birth. We also find a hospital-specific effect on the probability of low birthweight, positive for public hospitals and negative for private hospitals. Policy simulations indicate that a reasonable improvement in prenatal care usage could positively influence infant health in Uruguay by reducing the probability of low birthweight.

Suggested Citation

  • R. Todd Jewell & Patricia Triunfo, 2006. "Bajo peso al nacer en Uruguay: implicaciones para las políticas de salud," Documentos de Trabajo (working papers) 1706, Department of Economics - dECON.
    • Handle: RePEc:ude:wpaper:1706
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    File URL: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12008/2060
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Low Birthweight; Health Risks; Uruguay;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • C14 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Semiparametric and Nonparametric Methods: General

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