Prevalence of low birth weight and its associated factor at birth in Sub-Saharan Africa: A generalized linear mixed
Zemenu Tadesse Tessema1, Koku Sisay Tamirat1, Achamyeleh Birhanu Teshale1
1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Insights
Low birth weight (LBW) affects infant survival and future health. This study found LBW prevalence at 9.76% in Sub-Saharan Africa, influenced by factors like maternal education and healthcare access.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Low birth weight (LBW) is a critical determinant of infant mortality, morbidity, and long-term health outcomes.
- Existing research on LBW magnitude and determinants is often single-centered, lacking comprehensive regional data.
- Sub-Saharan Africa faces significant challenges regarding LBW, necessitating a broader, regional assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of low birth weight (LBW) across Sub-Saharan African countries.
- To identify key factors associated with the occurrence of LBW in the region.
Main Methods:
- Utilized secondary data from the Demography and Health Survey (DHS) across 35 Sub-Saharan countries.
- Included under-five children with birth weight data from the Kids Record (KR file) within five years preceding the survey.
- Employed a multivariable mixed-effect logistic regression model to determine significant associated factors of LBW.
Main Results:
- The pooled prevalence of low birth weight in Sub-Saharan Africa was 9.76% (95% CI: 9.63%–9.89%).
- Factors associated with increased LBW included: female infant, limited maternal healthcare decision-making, wider birth intervals, and divorced/separated marital status.
- Factors associated with reduced LBW included: maternal and paternal education, antenatal care visits, older maternal age, and multiparity.
Conclusions:
- The prevalence of low birth weight remains high in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Interventions should focus on supporting women with limited decision-making power, managing multiple pregnancies, and addressing social support.
- Improving maternal education and access to healthcare services are crucial for reducing LBW rates.
Background:
Low birth weight (LBW) is one of the major determinants of perinatal survival, infant morbidity, and mortality, as well as the risk of developmental disabilities and illnesses in future lives. Though studies were conducted to assess the magnitude and associated factors of low birth weight, most of the studies were at a single center and little information on the regional level. Hence, this study assessed the prevalence and associated factors of low birth weight in Sub-Saharan countries.
Method:
This study was based on secondary data sources from 35 Sub-Saharan countries' Demography and Health Survey (DHS). For this study, we used the Kids Record (KR file) data set. In the KR file, all under-five children who were born in the last five years preceding the survey in the selected enumeration area who had birth weight data were included for the study. To identify determinants of low birth weight multivariable mixed-effect logistic regression model fitted. Adjusted Odds Ratios (AOR) with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI) and p-value ≤0.05 in the multivariable model were used to declare significant factors associated with low birth weight at birth.
Result:
The pooled prevalence of newborn babies' low birth weight measured at birth in Sub-Saharan Africa was 9.76% with (95% CI: 9.63% to 9.89%). Female child, women not participated in healthcare decision making, and wider birth intervals, divorced/ separated women, and twin pregnancies associated with increased occurrences of low birth weight, while some level of woman and husband education, antenatal care visits, older maternal age, and multiparity associated with reduced occurrence low birth weight.
Conclusion:
This study revealed that the magnitude of low birth weight was high in sub-Saharan Africa countries. Therefore, the finding suggests that more emphasis is important for women with a lack of support, multiples, and healthcare decision-making problems.
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