Abstract:
Birth weight plays an important role in infant mortality, morbidity, development,
and future health. Low birth weight is one of the public health problems in the globe and it is an
indicator of the health of the newborn survival and the mother’s nutrition and health status.
Globally, the prevalence of low birth weight ranges from 15% to 20%. The prevalence of low
birth weight in Ethiopia was estimated to be 13.2% which is one of the highest percentages in the
world.
Objective: To assess the prevalence of and factors associated with low birth weight among new
born in public health facilities in Dire Dawa.
Methods: Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted among postnatal mothers with
their neonate from May 1 to 30, 2021. Samples were selected using systematic random sampling.
The data was collected using structured, pretested interviewer administered questioner. Data was
entered in to Epi-data software version 3.1 and exported to SPSS Version 23 for analysis with
descriptive statistics using frequency, crosstabs and percentage. To identify factors associated
with low birth weight bivariate and multivariable logistic regression was used. Model fit was
checked by Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test. Adjusted odd ratio along with 95% CI was
calculated to see strength of association and P<0.05 were taken as level of statistical significance.
Result: In this study the prevalence of low birth weight was 15.3% (95 % CI: 12.3 18.29). Being
from urban area (AOR=4.41(95 % CI: 2.13-9.12)) having nutritional counseling during ANC
(AOR=3.06(95% CI: 1.63-5.73)), taking additional diet during (AOR=2.95 (95% CI: 1.59-5.46))
and mothers with >36 weeks’ gestation during delivery (AOR=3.96 (95 % CI: 1.31-11.98)) were
factors significantly associated with low birth wight babies among mothers attending public
health facilities.
Conclusion:The prevalence of low birth wight is higher in the study.Maternal residence, dietary
counseling, and addititional diet intake during pregnancy and gestational age during delivery
found to be factors associated with low birth wight. Thus strong emphasis should be given in
strengthening the newly focused goal oriented antenatal care service utilization particularly in
rural settings.
