Maternal and neonatal factors associated with low birth weight among neonates delivered at the University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital, Northwest Ethiopia

Introduction: Low birth weight is a major contributory factor to infant mortality. Although low birth weight remains an important public health problem in Ethiopia, little emphasis is paid to its intervention as a means of reducing neonatal mortality. The aim of this study was to assess the magnitude of low birth weight and its associated maternal and neonatal factors in newborns delivered at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Methods: -value of <0.05 were used to identify factors associated with low birth weight. Result: (AOR = 6.8; 95% CI: 1.5, 31.1), and grand multiparity (AOR = 4.2; 95% CI: 1.2, 16) were factors positively associated with low birth weight. However, babies delivered from mothers with age > 35 years (AOR = 0.14:95% CI 0.03, 0.7) had lower odds of low birth weight. Conclusion: , and grand multiparity were independent factors that increase the low birth weight while maternal age > 35 years reduces the low birth weight. Therefore, healthcare professionals should emphasize the early identification and management of women with PIH, tackling prematurity, and preventing maternal malnutrition through nutritional counseling as much as possible.