PREVALENCE AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH LOW BIRTH WEIGHT AMONG BABIES BORN IN PUBLIC HEALTH FACILITIES IN DIRE DAWA, EASTERN ETHIOPIA

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.