dc.description.abstract |
Background: Low birth weight (LBW), according to WHO, defined as an infant weighing less
than 2500g at birth, poses significant global health concerns. It contributes to increased
morbidity and mortality rates in newborns, with long-term implications for health and
development. Objective: To determine factors associated with low birth weight among mothers
who gave birth in public hospital, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Methods: facility based Un-matched case-control study design was conducted among women
who delivered in public hospitals of Addis Ababa city. Data was collected using a structured
questionnaire through interview and medical record review of mothers. Sample size was
calculated by Epi-info version 7.0 to get a final sample size of 275(cases=85 and controls=190).
SPSS version 20 was used for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis
was used to determine the effect of the independent variables on birth weight. Presence of
significant association was determined using OR with its 95%CI. A P value of less than 0.05 was
considered to declare statistical significance. Table, graphs and texts were used to present the
data.
Results: Multivariable binary logistic Regression analysis was computed to identify the
association between potential factors with new born birth weight. In the multivariable logistic
regression, newborn babies with gestational age of below 36 were strongly linked to low birth
wight (AOR=28, 95% CI: 10.74, 75.5). Conversely, mothers who avoid heavy work load (AOR=
3.8, 95%CI (3.8 (1.2, 12.4)) notably, the risk of low birth weight was significantly higher for
mothers with shorter gestation and high workload during the pregnancy period.
Conclusion : The study confirmed that Gestational age, Intended (planned) Pregnancy, Taking
Iron/folate, Taking coffee, Taking additional food, Workload during pregnancy, Illness during
pregnancy, and Getting professional Advice during the pregnancy were found to be significantly
associated with low birth weight.
Key words: dietary diversity, low birth weight |
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