Prevalence of Low Birth Weight and Associated Factors Among Women Delivered in Debre Markos Referral Hospital, East Gojam, Ethiopia, 2017

Abstract

Introduction:  low birth weight is defined as birth weight less than 2,500gram irrespective of gestational age. More than 20 million infant are born each year weighing less than 2,500gram, accounting 17% of all birth in developing world. Similarly, according to Ethiopia demographic and health survey (EDHS, 2011), 11% weighed less than 2,500gm. Birth weight is an important role in infant mortality and morbidity, development and future health of the child. Objective: The main objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of low birth weight and factor among women delivered in Debre Markos Referral Hospital, East Gojam, Ethiopia, 2017. Methodology: The study was institutional based cross sectional study design conducting by reviewing cards of mother who delivered in Debre Markos Referral Hospital from June 1, 2017 to August 5, 2017. Simple random sampling technique was used. Our sample size was 243 and the data were collected by using structured questioner.   The data was entered by SPSS software version 20.0. Result and discussion: In this study 243 mother cards were included yielding 100% response rate. Out of 243 mothers, 36.3% participant was between age group 25-29 years. The prevalence of low birth weight in this study was 26.3%.ANC visit were significant associated with low birth weight (AOR, 0.285, 95% CI=0.111, 0.728, P-value=0.009). The sex of neonate was significantly associated with LBW (AOR=0.548, 95% CI= 0.303, 0.994, p-value =0.048. Additionally, and anemia [hemoglobin level] was significant associated with neonatal birth weight (AOR=0.129[87.1%], 95% CI=0.016, 1.011, p-value =0.054. Conclusion and Recommendation: The finding of this study concludes that the prevalence of low birth weight was 26.3%. The determinant factor for LBW were ANC visit, sex of neonate and anemia during pregnancy.

Keywords: low birth weight, magnitude, associated factors