Abstract
Background Birth weight has a vital role in determining newborns survival in vulnerable conditions. Low birth weight is associated with fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality, impairment of growth and development and also chronic disease later in life. This study was aimed to assess the magnitude of low birth weight and its determinants in Wolaita Sodo University teaching and referral hospital, southern Ethiopia. Methods Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted from November to December 2018. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select study participants. Data was collected by interviewing mothers through structured questionnaire and reviewing neonates' medical records using a checklist. Multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were employed to identify factors associated with neonatal jaundice. Results The proportion of low birth weight in the study area was found to be 15.8% (95% CI 11.7-19.9). Being primiparity [AOR=5.798; 95% (1.572-21.377)], anemia during pregnancy [AOR=3.808; 95% (1.513-9.586)], pregnancy induced hypertension [AOR= 6.955; 95% (2.386- 20.275)], intake herbal medication during pregnancy [AOR=35.762; 95% (4.571-279.764)], drinking alcohol during pregnancy [AOR=8.111; 95% (2.359-27. 895)] were predictors of low birth weight. Conclusion The proportion of low birth weight among newborns delivered at Wolaita Sodo University teaching and referral hospital was comparable with the global prevalence of low birth weight. Parity, anemia, alcohol, herbal medication, and pregnancy-induced hypertension were significantly associated with low birth weight.
Highlights
Low birth weight has a vital role in determining of newborns survival in a vulnerable condition
According to the world health organization (WHO) definition, babies with a birth weight of less than 2500g regardless of their gestational age are considered as low birth weight newborn [5]
The finding of this study revealed that the proportion of low birth weight in the study area was found to be 15.8%
Summary
Low birth weight has a vital role in determining of newborns survival in a vulnerable condition. It tells fetal exposure to risk factors such as maternal unfavorable socioeconomic conditions, smoking habit, malnutrition, and diseases as well as lack of attention to prenatal care and delivery [1,2,3] It has a crucial role in estimating whether the newborn is at risk of death and disease during their neonatal period [4]. This study was aimed to assess the magnitude of low birth weight and its determinants in Wolaita Sodo University teaching and referral hospital, southern Ethiopia. The proportion of low birth weight among newborns delivered at Wolaita Sodo University teaching and referral hospital was comparable with the global prevalence of low birth weight. Anemia, alcohol, herbal medication, and pregnancy-induced hypertension were significantly associated with low birth weight
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