LOW BIRTH WEIGHT AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG NEWBORNS DELIVERED IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS OF NORTH SHEWA ZONE, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE, CENTRAL ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Despite numerous efforts to improve the quality of maternal and child health medical services, over twenty million babies are born with low birth weights each year globally. Low birth weight is one of the poor outcomes of health care and continues to be the leading cause of neonatal mortality in Ethiopia. However, factors related to low birth weight like physically demanding work during pregnancy, food insecurity have not been explored in Ethiopia. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess factors that were not well studied in previous studies. Objective: To assess the magnitude of low birth weight and associated factors among neonates born in public Hospitals of the North Shewa, Oromia Regional State, Central Ethiopia, from June 15-July 30. Methods: Hospital-based cross-sectional study design was employed among 441 mothers and newborns pairs selected by systematic random sampling. Data were collected using a pretested and structured interviewer-administered questionnaire with chart reviewing. The data were coded, cleaned, and entered into Epi Data version 3.1 and exported to Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 26 for analysis. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the association between explanatory variables and low birth weight. The adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were used to report the finding. A p-value less than 0.05 was used to declare the statistical significance. Result: The magnitude of low-birth-weight was 17.7% (95% CI:14.3, 21.5). Pregnancy-related complication (AOR=2.12; 95% CI: 1.10,4.10), grand-multiparity (AOR=2.63; 95% CI:1.15,6.00), physical demanding work during pregnancy (AOR=2.20; 95% CI: 1.11,4.34), midd-upper arm circumference less than 23 centimeters (AOR=2.58; 95% CI: 1.29,5.18), partner violence during pregnancy (AOR=3.82; 95% CI 1.83,7.98), and being member of household with food insecure (AOR=2.22; 95% CI: 1.08,4.55) were factors significantly associated with low birth weight. Conclusion: This study showed that the magnitude of low birth weight was relatively high. Pregnancy complications, grand multiparity, physically demanding work during pregnancy, partner violence, mid-upper arm circumference less than 23 centimetres, and food insecurity were factors associated with low birth weight. Strengthening the capacity of health care providers working especially in antenatal care on how to screening pregnant women for intimate partner violence, hard physical work, undernutrition and providing appropriate treatment might be helpful