Low Birth Weight Prevalence and Associated Factors in Selected Health Centers in Addis Ababa
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Date
2019-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Weight at birth is the most important factor determ ining neonatal survival and wellbeing
both duri ng early life and in adulthood. Globa lly, about 17% of infants are born with small weight for
their age. The incidence is particularly higher in developing nat ions. Weight at bi rth is determined by
several factors including li fe style of the mother, physical condi tion, and weight gain during pregnancy. In
add ition, mi cronutri ent de fi ciency, nutri tion of the mother affects bi lth weight and bi lth outcomes in
genera l.
Methodology: In a prospect ive cohort des ign 341 pregnant women (all at first trimes ter) palticipated in
the study and fo llowed until del ivery. Socio-demographic, dietary pattern, maternal morbidi ty, and
anthropometry characteristics were assessed. In addition, intake of Iron folic acid supplementat ion was
captured. Hemoglobin concentration of participati ng women was measured at first and th ird trimester.
Moreover, serulll zinc concentration was determined at first trimes ter. Birth weight of new born were
meas ured at del ivery
Res ult: Respondents were in the age range of 17-40 with mean 26±4.S years and The mean weight of
study palticipants were 56.9 ±9.9, 59.9± 9.8 and 62.5± 10.0 kg at first, second and third trimester,
respectively. One in ten ( 10.9%) of women were underweight (BMI < IS.5 kg/m') and 11.7 % of women
were MUAC <2lcm at first trimester. Majority of the women (69.8%) had meal three times per day. Only
10.3% of women had snack eating habit. The present study subjects were characterized by intake of
starchy staples (100%) fol lowed by fruits and vegetables, and organ meat were the least food groups
taken by the study su bject. Coffee was the most common beverage consumed by 90% of the participants
and 55.8% women took coffee immed iate ly after meal. Majority (57.5%) of women were multiparous.
Only 12% of the women were taking IFA before starti ng the antenatal care follow up. Iron fo lic acid drop
out were IS.5% and 14.3% at second and third trimes ter, respectively, 55 (16 .0%) of women were anemic
(Hemoglobin < I 1.0g/dl) at first trimester and 56( 16.70%) at third trimester. Among 329 newborn weight
measured immediately after de livery 46 ( 14.0%) were under weight «2.50kg). Associated Factors of
LBW includes, IFA supplementation (OR:0.20, P~O. OO I ), Age of pmticipant (OR : 3.469, p~0.02 S) ,
Weight at fi rst trimester (OR: 7.S, P~0.053), weight gain throughout pregnancy (OR:O.O I ,P<O.OO I ),d inner
eating habit (OR:3.14, P~0.04), MUAC (O R: 2.53, P~0.03), BMI of First tr imester (OR: 2.53,
P~0.02),E mpl oy m en t status of the husband (OR:O.I OS, P~0.03) ,Hemoglobin at third trimester
(O R :0.03,P~0.05), serum Zinc Deficient women (OR: 0.012, P <O.OOI),Taking milk and Milk product
during pregnancy (O R :7.6S, P~0 .00 2) and Snack eating habit (OR:0.2 1 ,p~0. 04 ) .
Conclusion and recommendation: Almost 14.0% of new born were low birth weight, associated factors
that affect birth weight are: Age of parti cipants (age <20 years), The dietary pattern (snack and dinner
eati ng habit), nutritional status (taking milk and milk product), Mothers BMI« IS.5kg/m2),
MUAC«2 Icm) , IFA supplementation at second trimester, hemoglobin level, weight at first trimester
«50.0 kg), Inadequate weight gain and participants husband employment statu s. Health education about
micronutrient supplementation and optimal nutri tion during pregnancy is needed.
Key words: - low birth weight, pregnancy, ri sk factors, prevalence of Low birth weight, hemoglobin
concentrat ions, serum Z inc.
Description
Keywords
low birth weight, pregnancy, risk factors, prevalence of Low birth weight, hemoglobin concentrat ions, serum Zinc