Abstract:
Background: Low birth weight is a widely used indicator of newborn health. It is closely associated with fetal and neonatal mortality and morbidity, inhibited growth and cognitive development, and chronic diseases later in life. Determinants of low birth weight were not much studied in Ethiopia. It is expected that, identification of LBW determinants could enhance its reduction and its immediate and long term consequences. Objective: The objective of the study is to identify determinants of low birth weight in Addis Ababa. Methods: The study was conducted in Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A case-control study design was employed. The cases were infants born with low birth weight while the controls were unmatched normal weight babies born at the same hospital during the same period as the cases. Only singleton live births whose parents were residing in Addis Ababa were included in the study. Data were collected through a face to face maternal interviews using pre-tested structured questionnaire and reviewing records. Bi-variate and multivariate logistic regression were employed in order to infer associations and predictions.
Results: Data were obtained for408babies.On multivariate logistic regression analysis, four variables achieved a level of statistical significance predicting LBW: preterm birth <37 weeks of gestation), maternal weight of <60 Kg in the last month of pregnancy, maternal history of hypertension during pregnancy and antenatal care under-attendance (1 to 3). Conclusion: Maternal hypertension during pregnancy, maternal weight of less than 60Kg during last month of pregnancy and under attendance of prenatal care (1-3 visits) resulted in higher occurrence of LBW. The importance of short gestation/preterm birth/as a determinant of LBW was also clearly supported by the current finding. Recommendation: Early detection and management of hypertension during antenatal care follow-up was recommended. Nutrition interventions for women to attain a weight of 60Kg,properprenatal care needs to be promoted and delivered for all pregnant mothers. Additionally, further study on determinants of preterm birth and barriers of ANC follow up were suggested.