Abstract
According to EDHS 2016, Low birth weight in Amhara Region was 22.2%. Studies show that low birth weight (LBW) babies are significantly at risk of death, contributing to the high neonatal and infant morbidity and mortality. The poor health outcome of low birth weight can be reduced through quality and comprehensive neonatal care. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and determinants of low birth weight among women who gave birth at health facilities in Bahir Dar city. An institution-based cross-sectional study using an incidence density sampling technique was conducted from February 01/2019 to March 30/2019 in public and private health facilities of the Bahir Dar city. The sample size was calculated using the single population proportion formula. A pre-tested questionnaire was used for data collection and data was entered into the EPI-data and transported to SPSS version 22 for analysis. The totals of 292 respondents were involved in the study. Pregnant women who did not get married [AOR=8.75, 95%CI: 3.00, 25.55], women who had a previous history of LBW [AOR=7. 81, 95%CI: 1.71, 35.69], women with less than four ANC visits [AOR=2.75, 95%: 1.14, 6.63], women whose MUAC were less than 23cm [AOR=12. 12, 95%CI (4.46, 33.02)], anemic women [AOR=9. 15, 95%CI: 2.31, 36.30] and women whose blood hemoglobin level was less than 11gm/dl [AOR=6.10, 95%CI: 2.18, 17.01] were statistically associated with low birth weight. Hence, interventions targeting on marital status, LBW histories, antenatal care visit, and maternal MUAC, anemia and hemoglobin level were recommended to reduce the prevalence of low birth weight.
Highlights
Low birth weight (LBW) is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as weight at birth less than 2500 g (5.5 lb)
The findings of this study showed that socio-demographic, obstetric and maternal and related factors were statistically associated with LBW babies who were born in the health facilities in Bahir Dar City
History of LBW and numbers of antenatal care (ANC) visits were statistically associated with LBW
Summary
Low birth weight (LBW) is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as weight at birth less than 2500 g (5.5 lb). The weight of an infant at birth is influenced by the health, weight, age and nutritional status of the mother; and the proportions of infants born with LBW closely reflect the health status and the aforementioned factors of the mothers and thereby the communities into which they are born [3]. The public health significance of LBW may be ascribed to its association with an increased risk of prenatal and infant mortality and morbidity. The low birth weight infants are five times more likely to die in the prenatal period and three times more likely to die during infancy [4]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
