Determinants of Low Birth Weight in Debre Berehan Referal Hospital, North Shoa Zone, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia (A Case – Control Study)
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Date
2015-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Introduction: Low birth weight is defined as birth weight less than 2,500 grams. More than 20
million infants are born each year weighing less than 2500 gm, accounting for 17% of all births
in the developing world. Similarly, according to Ethiopian demographic and health survey
(EDHS 2011), 11% weighed less than 2500 gm. Birth weight plays an important role in infant
mortality and morbidity, development, and future health of the child. Weight at birth is directly
influenced by general level of health status of the mother.
Objectives: The main objective of the study is to identify determinants of low birth weight in
Debre Berehan Referral hospital.
Methodology: The study was a facility based unmatched case-control study design conducted by
reviewing cards of mothers and neonates who delivered in Debre Berehan Referral hospital just
three years back from study period (February to June 2015). Data analysis was done by SPSS
version 20 and bivariate and multivariate statistical methods were used.
RESULT: In this study 441 mothers and newborns cards were included yielding 100 % response
rate. From this 147 mothers and newborn cards were selected for case group and 294 mothers and
newborn cards were selected for control group .The mean birth weight was 2077.55gm
(S.D±325.78 gm) for the neonates with low birth weight and 3230.0 (S.D±449.73 gm) for the
neonates with normal birth weight. Out of 441 mothers in both case and control groups, most of
them were between the age group of 21-25 years, which is 39.5% and 36.1% for case group and
control group, respectively. Those newborns with gestational age less than 37 weeks were 4
times (AOR=4, 95%CI (1.61,8.13) p-value =0.0001) more likely to be delivered low birth
weight than those new born greater than or equal to 37 weeks of gestation. So, significant
association is found between gestational age and BW. Pregnancy induced hypertension (AOR
=3.415, 95% CI (0.855, 13.645 p-value 0.047) have significant association. Another variable that
have significant association with BW is hemoglobin level (AOR 1.0, 95% CI (1.0, 1.0) p-value
=0.045).
Conclusion: According to the findings of this study the determinant factors for LBW are:
Gestational age less than 37 weeks, hemoglobin level of the blood, PIH. So that interventions to
prevent pre term, control blood hemoglobin level of the mothers, prevent anemia and prevent
hypertension are important to manage LBW.
Key words: low birth weight, maternal factors, case control, Debre Berehan.
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Keywords
Low birth weight, Maternal factors, Case control, Debre Berehan