Determinants of low birth weight in neonates born in three hospitals in Brong Ahafo Region, Ghana, 2016: an unmatched case-control study

Abstract

Introduction: globally, about 20 million Low Birth Weight (LBW) infants are born yearly. A very high proportion (96.5%) occur in developing countries. In Ghana, the recent incidence was estimated at 160 per 1000 births and has not witnessed any reduction in the last decade. The WHO estimated that 7,876 LBW deaths occurred in Ghana in 2014. In Brong Ahafo Region, Ghana, the estimated incidence of LBW has consistently been higher than the national average since 2010 with 397 neonatal deaths in 2014. There have not been studies done to identify the determinants for LBW delivery in the Brong Ahafo Region. This study sought to identify these determinants.