Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2024 May 13;19(5):e0303364.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303364. eCollection 2024.

Determinants of low birth weight among newborns delivered in public hospitals of North Shewa Zone, Amhara region, Ethiopia: A case-control study (2023)

Beniyas Minda  1 , Girma Bekele  2 , Solomon Hailemeskel  3 , Abera Lambebo  1
Affiliations

Determinants of low birth weight among newborns delivered in public hospitals of North Shewa Zone, Amhara region, Ethiopia: A case-control study (2023)

Beniyas Minda et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Background: Low birth weight (LBW), defined as a birth weight less than 2500 g, irrespective of gestational age, poses a significant health concern for newborns. Despite efforts, the incidence of LBW in sub-Saharan Africa has remained stagnant over the past decade, warranting attention from healthcare providers, policymakers, and researchers.

Objective: This study aimed to identify factors associated with LBW among newborns delivered in public hospitals of North Shewa Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia, from May 2 to June 10, 2023.

Methods and materials: An unmatched case-control study was conducted from May 2 to June 10, 2023, involving 318 participants (106 cases and 212 controls). Data were collected using pretested interviewer-administered structured questionnaires, medical record reviews, and direct anthropometric measurements. Bivariate analyses were conducted, and variables with a p-value ≤ 0.25 were included in a multivariable logistic regression model to determine significant determinants of LBW. A significance level of p < 0.05 was used.

Results: A total of 309 newborns (103 cases and 206 controls) were included, yielding a response rate of 97.2%. Among the findings, females exhibited a higher risk of LBW (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 3.13, 95% CI: 1.34, 7.32, p = 0.008), as did mothers aged 20 or younger (AOR: 3.42, 95% CI: 1.35, 8.66, p = 0.009). Lack of formal education was associated with increased risk (AOR: 6.82, 95% CI: 2.94, 15.3, p < 0.001), as were unplanned pregnancies (AOR: 3.08, 95% CI: 1.38, 6.84, p = 0.006) and missed antenatal care visits (AOR: 2.74, 95% CI: 1.16, 6.49, p = 0.021). No significant associations were found with residency type or maternal age above 35.

Conclusion: Mothers aged ≤ 20 years, with inadequate minimum dietary diversity, lack of antenatal care attendance, and unplanned pregnancies, faced heightened risks of LBW. Addressing these factors is vital for reducing LBW occurrences and improving newborn health outcomes in Ethiopia.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Distribution of the consumption rate of ten food groups between mothers with and without low birth weight child on a daily basis, in north Shewa zone, Amhara regional state, Ethiopia, 2023.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Cutland CL, Lackritz EM, Mallett-Moore T, Bardají A, Chandrasekaran R, Lahariya C, et al.. Low birth weight: Case definition & guidelines for data collection, analysis, and presentation of maternal immunization safety data. Vaccine [Internet]. 2017;35(48):6492–500. Available from: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.01.049. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. UNICEF & WHO. Low Birth Weight Estimates. World Heal Organ. 2019;4(3):3–9.
    1. Fite MB, Tura AK, Yadeta TA, Oljira L, Roba KT. Prevalence, predictors of low birth weight and its association with maternal iron status using serum ferritin concentration in rural Eastern Ethiopia: a prospective cohort study. BMC Nutr [Internet]. 2022;8(1):1–10. Available from: 10.1186/s40795-022-00561-4. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Althabe F, Moore JL, Gibbons L, Berrueta M, Goudar SS, Chomba E, et al.. Adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes in adolescent pregnancies: The Global Network’s Maternal Newborn Health Registry study. Reprod Health [Internet]. 2015;12(2):S8. Available from: doi: 10.1186/1742-4755-12-S2-S8 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Demelash H, Motbainor A, Nigatu D, Gashaw K, Melese A. Risk factors for low birth weight in Bale zone hospitals, South-East Ethiopia: A case-control study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2015;15(1):1–11. doi: 10.1186/s12884-015-0677-y - DOI - PMC - PubMed

Publication types