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BackgroundLow birthweight (LBW) is an important predictor of neonatal and post neonatal child morality. Though its risk factors have been extensively studied in the developed world; limited epidemiological evidence is available in developing countries including Ethiopia. The purpose of the study is to determine the risk factors of LBW in North Shewa zone, Central Ethiopia.MethodsUnmatched case-control study involving 94 cases and 376 controls was conducted from Jan to Mar 2017 in three public hospitals in the zone. A case was defined as a singleton live birth with birthweight less than 2.5 kg; whereas, a control was a newborn that weighs 2.5–4.0 kg. Cases and controls were recruited on an ongoing basis until the required sample sizes were fulfilled. Data were collected by interviewing mothers, reviewing medical records and measuring the anthropometry of the mothers and the newborns. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify risk factors of LBW. The outputs of the analyses are presented using adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with the respective 95% confidence interval (CI).ResultsMothers with no formal education had two times increased odds of delivering LBW babies than women with formal education [AOR = 2.20 (95% CI: 1.11, 4.38)]. Mothers with no history of nutrition counseling during pregnancy had three times increased odds of giving LBW babies than those who were counseled [AOR = 3.35 (95% CI: 1.19, 9.43)]. Non-married women had higher odds of giving LBW newborns as compared to married ones [AOR = 3.54 (95% CI: 1.83, 6.83)]. Mothers from food insecure households had about four times higher odds of LBW as compared to food secure mothers [AOR = 4.42 (95% CI: 1.02,22.25)]. In contrast to mothers who had the recommended four or more antenatal care (ANC) visits, those who were not booked had three times increased odds of giving to LBW baby [AOR = 3.03 (95% CI: 1.19,7.69)].ConclusionImproving the socio-economic status of mothers, enhancing the utilization of ANC and strengthening the integration of nutrition counseling into ANC help to reduce LBW.

Active rifts release large amounts of gases from deep sources to the atmosphere by advection and diffusion processes along permeable fracture zones. The objective of this study is to develop geothermal exploration concepts for areas with little or no hydrothermal surface expressions suitable for fluid sampling and analyses (e.g., hot springs, geysers, and fumaroles). In such areas, soil gas surveys can complement established geophysical and geochemical exploration. We report CO2, 222Rn (radon), and 220Rn (thoron) emission data and ground temperatures from the Aluto volcanic complex in the Main Ethiopian Rift to improve understanding of tectonic and volcanic controls on the existing geothermal system. This suite of gas emission measurements allows us to identify major, deep‐rooted permeable structures with active fluid circulation and identify suitable drilling targets for geothermal production wells on Aluto. We show that significant differences in gas signatures (i.e., efflux and spatial pattern) can be used to identify predominantly volcanically and/or tectonically influenced compartments. Major gas emissions indicate significant fluid circulation at depth, which is typical for magmatic systems. Such high gas emissions have been observed in areas affected by major tectonic structures interacting with magmatic bodies at depth (tectono‐volcanic). Predominantly fault‐controlled sectors also show hydrothermal fluid circulation, but to a lower extent compared to tectono‐volcanic sectors. Within the Aluto volcanic complex, geothermal production wells mainly target such fault‐controlled domains, whereas results of the study indicate strongest fluid circulation in tectono‐volcanic sectors. This result should be considered for the future exploration and development strategy of the site.