Prevalence of Low Birth Weight and Associated Factors among New Born Babies in Ataye Primary Hospital, North Shoa, Ethiopia, 2018

Background: Birth weight is an important indicator of health status of an infant and is a principal factor that determines the infant‘s, physical, survival and mental growth. Though efforts made in reducing incidences of low birth weight worldwide, the problem of low birth weight remains global health problem, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, including Ethiopia.

Objective: To determine prevalence of Low Birth Weight and associated factor, among the neonates born in Ataye primary hospital from June 1, 2017 GC- May 30, 2018 G.C.

Methods: A facility based cross sectional study was carried out on birth weight distribution. Data was collected from delivery registration book of obstetrics department and Medical records of the mother by using structured data collection format. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed. Adjusted odd ratio with 95% CI was calculated to see strength of association and P<0.05 was taken as level of statistical significance.

Results: Total of 181 mothers Medical records and delivery registration book were reviewed. The magnitude of low birth weight among new born babies in Ataye primary Hospital was 6.1%. Lack of Ante natal care follow up (AOR = 1.6 (95% CI =1.776, 9.48)), Preterm birth (AOR = 0.79(95% +CI = 0.034-0.78)), female sex (AOR=1.1(0.004-0.297)) and Multiple gestation (AOR=1.65(95% CI 0.001-0.426)) were identified factors of low birth weight.

Conclusion: Prevalence of low birth weight was lower than that of countrywide figure. Lack of Antenatal care follow up, preterm birth, sex of the neonate and multiple gestations were significantly associated with low birth weight.