Mengistu, Daniel (PhD)Abebaw, Desalegn2018-07-062023-11-062018-07-062023-11-062017-06http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/6869Introduction: Globally, more than 20 million infants are born with Low Birth Weight and a larger proportion of these concentrating in Asia and Africa. Africa has a reported incidence of 14.3 %.Children born with low birth weight are more likely to die prematurely compared to infants of normal birth weight. Likewise, these children experience more morbidity, both in the short and long term. Therefore, it is clear that low birth weight represents a heavy burden for healthcare services worldwide. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of low birth weight among newborn babies in Dessie town health institutions, Amhara region, Ethiopia. Method: An institutional based cross sectional study design was conducted to assess the prevalence and associated factors of low birth weight among newborn babies in Dessie town health institutions. The data was collected using a semi-structured pre-tested interviewer guided questionnaire. Data was cleaned manually, coded and entered into Epi -info version 7 and analysed by SPSS version 20 statistical software.Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to identify associated factors for low birth weight.After bivariate regression analysis, variables with P value less than 0.2 were included in multivariable logistic regression. Adjusted odd ratio along with 95% CI was calculated to see strength of association and P<0.05 was taken as level of statistical significance. Result: Data were collected from 358 mothers who had new born babies with 97% response rate. In this study the prevalence of LBW was 15.6%. Maternal age AOR:3.78,95% CI,(1.02,13.97),residing in rural area AOR: 3.49, 95% CI, (1.48,8.24), ANC follow up AOR: 3.79, 95% CI (1.08, 13.23), gestational age AOR:3.82 95% CI,(1.55,9.42) Sex AOR:3.37,95% CI,(1.17,9.72)were found to be predictor of low birth weight. Conclusion and Recommendation: The prevalence of low birth weight in this study was high. With regard to this high LBW prevalence, there is need for health care providers in Dessie town health institutions to put more emphasis on Focused ANC to ensure risk of LBW is detected early and treated appropriately. Key words: low birth weight, associated factors, Dessie town, North East EthiopiaenLow birth weightAssociated factorsDessie townNorth east EthiopiaThesis