Factors associated with low birthweight in North Shewa zone, Central Ethiopia: case-control study

Berhanu Gizaw,Samson Gebremedhin

doi:10.1186/s13052-018-0516-7

Abstract

BackgroundLow birthweight (LBW) is an important predictor of neonatal and post neonatal child morality. Though its risk factors have been extensively studied in the developed world; limited epidemiological evidence is available in developing countries including Ethiopia. The purpose of the study is to determine the risk factors of LBW in North Shewa zone, Central Ethiopia.MethodsUnmatched case-control study involving 94 cases and 376 controls was conducted from Jan to Mar 2017 in three public hospitals in the zone. A case was defined as a singleton live birth with birthweight less than 2.5 kg; whereas, a control was a newborn that weighs 2.5–4.0 kg. Cases and controls were recruited on an ongoing basis until the required sample sizes were fulfilled. Data were collected by interviewing mothers, reviewing medical records and measuring the anthropometry of the mothers and the newborns. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify risk factors of LBW. The outputs of the analyses are presented using adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with the respective 95% confidence interval (CI).ResultsMothers with no formal education had two times increased odds of delivering LBW babies than women with formal education [AOR = 2.20 (95% CI: 1.11, 4.38)]. Mothers with no history of nutrition counseling during pregnancy had three times increased odds of giving LBW babies than those who were counseled [AOR = 3.35 (95% CI: 1.19, 9.43)]. Non-married women had higher odds of giving LBW newborns as compared to married ones [AOR = 3.54 (95% CI: 1.83, 6.83)]. Mothers from food insecure households had about four times higher odds of LBW as compared to food secure mothers [AOR = 4.42 (95% CI: 1.02,22.25)]. In contrast to mothers who had the recommended four or more antenatal care (ANC) visits, those who were not booked had three times increased odds of giving to LBW baby [AOR = 3.03 (95% CI: 1.19,7.69)].ConclusionImproving the socio-economic status of mothers, enhancing the utilization of ANC and strengthening the integration of nutrition counseling into ANC help to reduce LBW.

Highlights

Low birthweight (LBW) is an important predictor of neonatal and post neonatal child morality
It has been estimated that LBW babies are approximately 20 times more likely to die than normal babies in the first year of life [3]
Socio-demographic characteristics of the study participants A total of 470 mother-newborn dyads comprising 94 cases and 376 controls were included in the study

Summary

Introduction

Low birthweight (LBW) is an important predictor of neonatal and post neonatal child morality. Though its risk factors have been extensively studied in the developed world; limited epidemiological evidence is available in developing countries including Ethiopia. The purpose of the study is to determine the risk factors of LBW in North Shewa zone, Central Ethiopia. According to the definition of the World Health Organization (WHO), low birthweight (LBW) is weight of an infant at birth of less than 2500 g irrespective of the gestational age [1]. The main cause of LBW is assumed to be IUGR; whereas in developed countries prematurity has higher significance [1, 2]. The fetal origins hypothesis suggests that LBW raises the risk

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion