Below normal birth weight in the Northwest part of Ethiopia

OBJECTIVES: Low birth weight is one of the global agendas that have an impact on the short and long-term health status. A cross-sectional study from March 1 to April 1, 2018 was conducted. 381 mother-newborn pairs were participated. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of low birth weight in the Northwest part of Ethiopia. RESULTS: The prevalence of low birth weight was 14.9% (95% CI 11.7-18.9). Being preterm [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 4.1; 95% CI 1.7-9.9], absence of ante-natal care follow-up (AOR = 3.4; 95% CI 1.2-9.5), malaria attack during pregnancy (AOR = 4.2; 95% CI 1.6-11.1), anemia during pregnancy (AOR = 2.6; 95% CI 1.03-7.0), and lack of iron supplementation (AOR = 4.0; 95% CI 1.3-12.6) were predisposing factors to low birth weight. On the other hand, infants born from employed mothers (AOR = 0.1; 95% CI 0.01-0.92) were less likely to born with below normal birth weight. The prevalence of low birth was high as compared to WHO estimation.