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. 2025 May 8;5(5):e0004556.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0004556. eCollection 2025.

Prevalence of low birth weight and associated factors in Ethiopia: An umbrella review of systematic review and meta-analyses

Neway Ejigu  1 , Negussie Sarbecha  2 , Kenbon Seyoum  1 , Degefa Gomora  1 , Girma Geta  1 , Chala Kene  1 , Sheleme Mengistu  1 , Derese Eshetu  1 , Yaregal Admasu  1 , Telila Mesfin  3 , Daniel Atlaw  4 , Girma Beressa  4
Affiliations

Prevalence of low birth weight and associated factors in Ethiopia: An umbrella review of systematic review and meta-analyses

Neway Ejigu et al. PLOS Glob Public Health. .

Abstract

Low birth weight (LBW) is one of the major causes of neonatal mortality and morbidity in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite the goal of reducing newborn morbidity and mortality by 2030, low-income countries, including Ethiopia, still confront major challenges. Although various systematic reviews and meta-analyses (SRMA) have been conducted on LBW in Ethiopia, there is notable variation among their findings. This umbrella review aimed to consolidate inconsistent findings into a single summary estimate, providing a robust synthesis of evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses to bolster health policy development and planning in Ethiopia.Articles were retrieved on PubMed/Medline, Science Direct, Web of Science, HINARI, and Google Scholar. Assessments of Multiple Systematic Reviews checklist scores were used to assess the quality of the included SRMA studies. A random-effects model was used to estimate the overall effect size.A total of eleven SRMA studies (5 prevalence and 6 predictors) involving 190,492 neonates with an outcome of interest were included in the analysis. The summary estimate for the prevalence of LBW was 16% (95% CI: 13, 18%). Being prematurity [POR: 7.86; 95% CI: 5.79, 10.67], not attending antenatal care (ANC) [POR: 2.4, 95% CI: 1.49, 3.88], having pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) [POR: 4.2; 95% CI: 2.78, 6.36], being a rural resident [POR: 2.14, 95% CI: 1.56, 2.94], having a pregnancy interval < 24 months [POR: 2.96; 95% CI: 1.79, 4.9], not having iron-folic acid supplementation (IFAS) [POR: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.29, 0.5], and being a maternal age < 20 [POR: 2.02, 95% CI: 1.41, 2.9] were significantly associated with LBW. This umbrella review revealed more than three out of twenty neonates experienced LBW in Ethiopia. Being premature, not attending antenatal care, having pregnancy-induced hypertension, being a rural resident, having a pregnancy interval < 24 months, not having iron-folic acid supplementation and being a maternal age < 20 were significant predictors of LBW. Therefore, timely diagnosis, proper treatment, and follow-up of women at risk might combat the incidence of LBW in Ethiopia.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. PRISMA Flow diagram for searching, screening and identification of SRMA studies.
Fig 2
Fig 2. An umbrella review of systematic review and meta-analysis studies on the prevalence of low birth weight in Ethiopia, 2024.
Fig 3
Fig 3. An umbrella review about the pooled effects of risk factors on low birth weight in Ethiopia, 2024.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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