Low birth weight remains a public health concern especially in developing countries as it is a major contributor to neonatal mortality. Investigations on the problem phenomenon have related proximity to surface coal mining to persistent increase in low birth weight. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. The population were women attending anti-natal clinic in health facilities in Okura region, Kogi state. One hundred and eighty three participants were recruited for the study. A validated structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on the Knowledge, attitude and prevention practices of the respondents measured. Data was collected using a validated 30-item interviewer questionnaire (reliable coefficient of 0.9). The result showed that the median age of the participants was 31 years and majority (42.1%) had at least secondary school education with 7.1% reporting non-formal education. Result also showed level of knowledge about low birth among the women was low with mean (SD) of 4.03(2.00) eighty seven respondents had negative attitudinal disposition towards low birth weight. The mean (SD) of attitude was 9.6(3.35). The preventive practices of the respondents had an aggregated mean of 10.391.41. Generally, in this study, respondents had moderate level of knowledge, attitudinal disposition and preventive practices regarding proximity to coal mining and its effects/consequences. This moderate levels are not good enough as an increase in the predisposing factors (knowledge and attitude) is needed for the development of better practices and solutions in order to prevent/reduce the incidence of low birth weight.

Key words: Cassia sieberiana, Phytochemical, Antioxidant, Pharmaceuticals