<p>Low Birth Weight and Associated Factors Among Newborn Babies in Health Institutions in Dessie, Amhara, Ethiopia</p>

Abstract

Background: Globally, more than 20.5 million infants are born with low birth weight, and the majorities were from Asia and Africa. Even though efforts were made to reduce low birth weight worldwide, it remains a global public health problem, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Objective: To assess low birth weight and associated factors among newborn babies in health institutions in Dessie, Amhara, Ethiopia. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 358 newborn/ mother pairs from March 1 to April 15, 2017, in Dessie town health institutions. The data were collected using a semi-structured interviewer-guided questionnaire. The numbers of newborn/mother pairs surveyed from each health institution were allocated proportionally, and systematic random sampling was used to select the respondents. Epi-info version 7.0 was used for data entry, and Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20 was used for the analysis. Multivariate logistic regression with adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were used to identify significantly associated variables with low birth weight. Results: In this study, the prevalence of low birth weight was 15.6%. Maternal age <20 years (AOR: 3.78, 95% CI, 1.02-13.97), rural residence (AOR: 3.49, 95% CI, 1.48-8.24), having antenatal care follow-up (AOR: 3.79, 95% CI, 1.08-13.23), gestational age <37 weeks (AOR: 3.82, 95% CI, 1.55-9.42), and females (AOR: 3.37, 95% CI, 1.17-9.72) were significantly associated with low birth weight. Conclusion: The proportion of LBW in this study is comparable to the estimated global prevalence. Maternal age, residence, antenatal care, gestational age, and sex were significantly associated variables with low birth weight. Therefore, special attention should be given to antenatal care services and preventive strategies for preterm delivery.

Maternal Undernutrition and Low Birth Weight in a Tertiary Hospital in Sudan: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…In the current study, pregnant women who had attended less than two ANC visits were at a 2.10 higher risk of delivering an LBW newborn. This is consistent with the previous studies conducted in Sudan ( 32 ), Ethiopia ( 33 ), Kenya, Zimbabwe ( 34 ), and Tanzania ( 35 ). Moreover, in their meta-analysis, Tessema et al reported that ANC visits were associated with reduced LBW occurrence ( 30 ).…”

Regional Variation and Factors Associated With Fetal Macrosomia in Ethiopia

“…This finding is consistent with the previous studies in Ethiopia. 15,17 The findings of this study also shows that the residence of mother is the most important factor of fetal macrosomia. Infants whose family lived in urban area are more likely to get fetal macrosomia than the rural area.…”

“…The result of this study is compatible with the finding of previous studies in Ethiopia. 2,4,11,15 In this paper, it is found that the wealth index is significantly affects the fetal macrosomia.…”

“…This findings is line with the previous studies conducted in Ghana 16 and in different area of Ethiopia. 15,17,22…”

“…6 In the USA, the macrosomia rate was 8.0% in Europe 7 and other developed countries reported rates range between 5% and 20%. 6 A study conducted on low and middle income countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America reported a prevalence of fetal macrosomia were ranged from 0.6% (India) to 15.2% (Algeria). 5 In Africa, the frequency of macrosomia varies between 2% (Nigeria) and 15.2% (Algeria).…”