Low Birth Weight in Ethiopia: A Multi-Level Analysis of 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey

Abstract

Background: The birth weight should be taken within an hour of delivery before major weight loss occurs. Low birth weight (LBW) a global serious public health problem that is associated with high stunting observed in less developed countries. Surprisingly there is an incidence of 15-20% newborns death is attributed by LBW globally every year. This study was aimed to identify the prevalence ofLBW and its associated factors among women who gave birth five years before the survey and whose most recent newborn birthweight was known in Ethiopia. Methods: 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) data were utilized among 1,259 reproductive-age women who gave birth five years prior to the survey and whose most recent newborn birthweight was known. The outcome variable was the low birth weight (LBW) and predictor variables were categorized into individual and community level. Multi-level logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with LBW, STATA -14 software was used for data analysis. Weighted samples were used for data analysis to ensure the survey results were representative of the national and regional levels. Variables that were statistically significant on bivariate multilevel regression were considered for individual and community level. Multicollinearity was also checked among independent variables. Results: The prevalence of LBW in Ethiopia was 12.3% (95% CI: 10.1%, 15. 0%). The age of participants was ranged between 15-47 with a mean ± SD of 28.28 ± 6.05 years. More than half (58.8%) of mothers who gave birth to a newborn with LBW were rural residents. Multiple pregnancy (AOR=4.67;2.13,10.50), maternal higher education (AOR=0.67; 95%CI: 0.45, 0.98), maternal primary education (AOR=0.50; 95% CI: 0.33, 0.77), resident in Afar (AOR=2.89 ;95% CI: 1.05, 7.96) and Amhara (AOR=2.52; 95% CI: 1.15, 5.50) were factors associated low birth weight. Conclusions: More than one in ten mothers gave birth to a newborn with LBW in Ethiopia. The significant variations of the prevalence LBW among regions of Ethiopia need attention and women's education is important to reduce LBW. Funding Statement: There is no funding for this study. Declaration of Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests. Ethics Approval Statement: Ethics approval and consent to participate Ethical clearance for the primary studies were obtained from Ethiopia Health and Nutrition Research Institute Review Board, the Ministry of Science and Technology, Institutional Review Board of ICF International, and the CDC.