Associated Factors with Low Birth Weight in Dire Dawa City, Eastern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Alekaw Sema1, Firehiwot Tesfaye2, Yalelet Belay1
1Department of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dire Dawa University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.
Insights
Low birth weight (LBW) affects 21% of newborns in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia. Key factors include lack of nutritional counseling, preterm birth, maternal smoking, and short maternal height, highlighting areas for intervention.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Neonatal Health
- Maternal Health
Background:
- Low Birth Weight (LBW) poses a significant public health challenge in low- and middle-income countries, with sub-Saharan Africa disproportionately affected.
- Globally, 15-20% of births are LBW, and Ethiopia faces a high burden.
- Despite global targets, LBW reduction efforts require further research and targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of Low Birth Weight (LBW) in Dire Dawa city, eastern Ethiopia.
- To identify factors associated with LBW in the study population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted with 431 mothers in Dire Dawa public hospitals.
- Systematic sampling was employed, and data were collected via a pretested structured questionnaire.
- Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify significant factors associated with LBW (p < 0.05).
Main Results:
- The prevalence of Low Birth Weight (LBW) was found to be 21% in the study area.
- Significant factors associated with LBW included: not receiving nutritional counseling during antenatal care (AOR=2.03), preterm birth (AOR=18.48), maternal smoking (AOR=3.97), and maternal height < 150 cm (AOR=3.54).
Conclusions:
- The study area exhibits a high prevalence of Low Birth Weight (LBW).
- Interventions focusing on dietary counseling, preventing preterm birth, and discouraging smoking during pregnancy are crucial.
- Addressing these factors can potentially reduce LBW rates and improve child survival outcomes.
Background:
Low Birth Weight (LBW) is a serious public health concern in low- and middle-income countries. Globally, 20 million, an estimated 15% to 20% of babies were born with LBW, and, of these, 13% were in sub-Saharan Africa. Although the World Health Assembly targeted to reduce LBW by 30% by the end of 2025, little has been done on and known about LBW. To meet the goal successfully and efficiently, more research studies on the problem are vital. Hence, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and the associated factors of LBW in Dire Dawa city, eastern Ethiopia.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and the associated factors of low birth weight in Dire Dawa City, eastern Ethiopia, 2017.
Method:
A cross-sectional study designed was conducted, and using a systematic sampling technique, 431 mothers who gave birth in the public hospitals in Dire Dawa city from July 01 to August 30, 2018, were selected. Stillbirth and infants with birth defects were excluded from the study. Well-trained data collectors collected the data using a structured questionnaire which was pretested. The data were analyzed using SPSS Version 22.0. The Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was applied in multivariate logistic regression models, and p value less than 0.05 was considered as statistical significant.
Result:
The prevalence of low birth weight was 21%. Not received nutritional counseling during antenatal care (AOR = 2.03, 95% CI: 1.01, 4.06), preterm birth (AOR = 18.48, 95% CI: 6.51, 52.42), maternal smoking (AOR = 3.97, 95% CI: 1.59, 9.88), and height of the mother less than 150 cm (AOR = 3.54, 95% CI: 1.07, 11.76) were significantly associated with Low birth weight.
Conclusion:
There was a high prevalence of low birth weight in the study area. Effective dietary counseling and additional diet, implementing proven strategies to prevent preterm birth and avoid smoking during pregnancy might decrease the low birth weight and then enhance child survival.
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