Abstract:
Background: Low birth weight is a widely used indicator of newborn health. It is closely
associated with fetal and neonatal mortality and morbidity, inhibited growth and cognitive
development, and chronic diseases later in life. Determinants of low birth weight were not much
studied in Ethiopia. It is expected that, identification of LBW determinants could enhance its
reduction and its immediate and long term consequences.
Objective: The objective of the study is to identify determinants of low birth weight in Addis
Ababa.
Methods: the study was conducted in Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A
case-control study design was employed. The cases were infants born with low birth weight
while the controls were unmatched normal weight babies born at the same hospital during the
same period as the cases. Only singleton live births whose parents were residing in Addis Ababa
were included in the study. Data were collected through a face to face maternal interviews using
pre-tested structured questionnaire and reviewing records. Bi-variate and multivariate logistic
regression were employed in order to infer associations and predictions.
Results: Data were obtained for 408 babies. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, four
variables achieved a level of statistical significance predicting LBW: preterm birth (<37 weeks
of gestation), maternal weight of <60 Kg in the last month of pregnancy, maternal history of
hypertension during pregnancy and antenatal care under-attendance (1 to 3).
Conclusion: Maternal hypertension during pregnancy, maternal weight of less than 60Kg during
last month of pregnancy and under attendance of prenatal care (1-3 visits) resulted in higher
occurrence of LBW. The importance of short gestation/preterm birth/ as a determinant of LBW
was also clearly supported by the current finding.
Recommendation: Early detection and management of hypertension during antenatal care followup
was recommended. Nutrition interventions for women to attain a weight of 60Kg, proper
prenatal care needs to be promoted and delivered for all pregnant mothers. Additionally, further
study on determinants of preterm birth and barriers of ANC follow up were suggested.
