A health facility based case-control study on determinants of low birth weight in Dassie town, Northeast Ethiopia: the role of nutritional factors

Abstract

BackgroundLow birth weight remains a major public health problem affecting developing countries. Evidence shows that low birth weight has long lasting negative health consequences through its contribution to stunting, mental impairment and non-communicable chronic diseases in later life. Thus, it is worth investigating the role of nutritional factors as determinants of low birth weight to suggest nutritional interventions to curb its negative health outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the determinants of low birth weight with main focus on the role of nutritional factors in Ethiopia.MethodsA facility-based case-control study was conducted from 3 February to 29 April, 2017. The data were collected using structured, pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire in all public health facilities of Dessie Town. Anthropometric measurements were made following standard procedures for both mothers and their newborns. Consecutive live births of < 2500 g and two succeeding normal weight babies were selected as cases and controls, respectively. Data were entered in to Epi-data software version 3.1, and exported to SPSS version 21, and analyzed using frequency, mean and percentage. Factors with p < 0.25 during bivariate analyses were entered into a multivariable logistic regression model to determine significant determinants of LBW. Statistical significance was considered at p < 0.05. Results were reported with odds ratio and 95% CI.ResultsMean ± SD of birth weight (g) was 2138 ± 207 for cases and 3145 ± 415 for controls. After adjusting for potential confounders using multivariable logistic regression analysis, the absence of iron and folate supplementation, receiving no nutritional counseling and consuming no additional meal, maternal undernutrition, maternal anemia and inadequate dietary diversity during the current pregnancy were found to be significant determinants of low birth weight in our study.ConclusionLack of nutritional counseling, absence of additional meal intake and iron and folate supplementation during pregnancy, and maternal undernutrition, maternal anemia and inadequate maternal dietary diversity were significant determinants of low birth weight. The importance of nutritional counseling, improving iron and folate supplementation during pregnancy, and nutritional status of pregnant women need to be strengthened to reduce the incidence of LBW in Ethiopia. In addition, behavioral change communications targeting pregnant women to improve women dietary diversity and their extra meal intake practice need to be enhanced in Ethiopia.

Spatial distribution and factors associated with low birth weight in Ethiopia using data from Ethiopian demographic and health survey 2016: spatial and multilevel analysis

“…This study found that the odds of bearing LBW neonate higher among severely anemic mothers as compared to those without anemia. This finding is consistent with studies conducted in India (35,36) and Ethiopia (37,38). This might be due to the fact that anemia during pregnancy, especially if severe, could affect oxygen supply to the fetus and thus interferes with normal intrauterine growth or pregnancy duration which possibly leads to LBW (39).…”

Spatial Distribution and Factors Associated with Low birth weight in Ethiopia using data from Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey 2016; Spatial and Multilevel analysis

“…This study found that neonates who were born from severely anemic mothers had higher odds of being LBW baby as compared to those who were born from nonanemic mothers. This nding is consistent with studies conducted in India (31,32) and Ethiopia (33,34). This might be due to the fact that anemia during pregnancy, especially if severe, could affect oxygen supply to the fetus and thus interferes with normal intrauterine growth or pregnancy duration which possibly leads to low birth weight (35).…”

Prevalence of Maternal Anemia in A Tertiary Care Hospital in Western Nepal

“…18 Another study showed the prevalence rate of 23.6%. 20 In the present study out of the total low birth weight babies, 56.2% were males and 43.8% were female which is similar to a study done by Ahmed et al 20 while it is in contrast to a study done by Hussain et al in Pakistan which showed the incidence of male 45.2% and female 55%. 21 Our study showed mothers having preterm delivery were 23.4% and the proportion of low birth weight was high.…”