Abstract:
Abstract
Introduction:Low birth weight is the major public health problems particularly in sub
Saharan Africa including Ethiopia. The prevalence of low birth weight in the study
area is the second highest
Objective:the main aim of this study was to assess the determinants of low birth
weight among infants borne at Amhara regionreferral hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia.
Methods:institution based unmatched case control study was carried out from
March 20 to April 30, 2017. A total of 429 participants
Results:The results revealed that mothers who gave birth to female infants
Conclusion:The findings of this study showed that infant sex being female, preterm,
absence of ANC visits, MUAC less than 23 cm, lack of iron and folic acid
supplementation and pregnancy related problems during the current pregnancy were
found to be positively associated with low birth weight. Strengthening ANC follow up
of pregnant mothers to enhance healthy pregnancy needs to be emphasized to
counter low birth weight problems.
Key words: low birth weight, maternal factors, northwest Ethiopia
