Association between maternal HIV infection and birthweight in a tertiary hospital in southern Ethiopia: retrospective cohort study

Andualem Zenebe,Betelhem Eshetu,Samson Gebremedhin

doi:10.1186/s13052-020-00834-3

Andualem Zenebe, Betelhem Eshetu + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-020-00834-3

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Abstract

BackgroundHuman Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and low birth weight (LBW) continue to be significant public health concerns in many low-income countries including Ethiopia. Yet the effect of maternal HIV infection on birth weight has not been thoroughly explored and the existing studies reported opposing findings. We examined the association between maternal HIV infection and LBW in a tertiary hospital in Southern Ethiopia.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted based on the medical records of 277 HIV-negative and 252 HIV-positive mothers who gave singleton live birth between September 2014 to August 2017 in Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Southern Ethiopia. The recodes were identified using systematic sampling approach and relevant information were extracted by using pretested extraction form. Multivariable binary logit model was fitted to examine the relationship between the exposure and outcome while adjusting for potential confounders. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) is used for summarizing the findings of the analysis.ResultsThe mean (± standard deviation) birth weight of infants born to HIV-negative women (3.1 ± 0.7 kg) was significantly higher than those born to HIV-positive counterparts (3.0 ± 0.6 kg) (p = 0.020). The prevalence of LBW was also significantly higher in the HIV-exposed group (22.2%) than the non-exposed group (13.7%) (p = 0.011). In the logit model adjusted for multiple covariates, HIV-positive women had four times increased odds than HIV-negative women to give birth to LBW infant(AOR = 4.03, 95% CI: 2.01–8.06). Other significant predictors of LBW were rural place of residence (AOR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.16–3.60), prenatal anemia (AOR = 3.17, 95% CI: 1.71–5.90), chronic hypertension (AOR = 3.68, 95% CI: 1.10–12.46) and preeclampsia (AOR = 6.80, 95% CI: 3.00–15.38).ConclusionMaternal HIV infection is associated with increased odds of LBW. HIV prevention activities are also likely to contribute for the reduction of LBW.

Highlights

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and low birth weight (LBW) continue to be significant public health concerns in many low-income countries including Ethiopia
In the current study we examined the association between HIV and LBW status in HUCSH, Southern Ethiopia
Table-2 compares the magnitudes of selected obstetric and medical complications between the two groups and no statistically meaningful differences were observed in terms of prevalence of premature rupture of membrane (PROM) and chronic hypertension (p < 0.05)

Summary

Introduction

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and low birth weight (LBW) continue to be significant public health concerns in many low-income countries including Ethiopia. The effect of maternal HIV infection on birth weight has not been thoroughly explored and the existing studies reported opposing findings. The disparity in the burden of LBW between low- and high-income countries is noticeable as the prevalence in the Europe and North America remains below 8% while in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia it exceeds 14 and 25%, respectively [2]. A recent systematic review classified Ethiopia among the top-10 countries with the highest burden of preterm births [6]. Another systematic review which pooled small-scale studies conducted in different localities of Ethiopia in the last 30 years estimated aggregate prevalence of 17.3% [7]

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