DETERMINANTS OF LOW BIRTH WEIGHT AMONG NEONATES BORN IN AMHARA REGION, NORTHWEST ETHIOPIA REFERRAL HOSPITALS; ETHIOPIA REFERRAL HOSPITALS;

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