Associated Factors with Low Birth Weight in Dire Dawa City, Eastern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND: Low Birth Weight (LBW) is a serious public health concern in low- and middle-income countries. Globally, 20 million, an estimated 15% to 20% of babies were born with LBW, and, of these, 13% were in sub-Saharan Africa. Although the World Health Assembly targeted to reduce LBW by 30% by the end of 2025, little has been done on and known about LBW. To meet the goal successfully and efficiently, more research studies on the problem are vital. Hence, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and the associated factors of LBW in Dire Dawa city, eastern Ethiopia. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and the associated factors of low birth weight in Dire Dawa City, eastern Ethiopia, 2017. METHOD: A cross-sectional study designed was conducted, and using a systematic sampling technique, 431 mothers who gave birth in the public hospitals in Dire Dawa city from July 01 to August 30, 2018, were selected. Stillbirth and infants with birth defects were excluded from the study. Well-trained data collectors collected the data using a structured questionnaire which was pretested. The data were analyzed using SPSS Version 22.0. The Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was applied in multivariate logistic regression models, and p value less than 0.05 was considered as statistical significant. RESULT: The prevalence of low birth weight was 21%. Not received nutritional counseling during antenatal care (AOR = 2.03, 95% CI: 1.01, 4.06), preterm birth (AOR = 18.48, 95% CI: 6.51, 52.42), maternal smoking (AOR = 3.97, 95% CI: 1.59, 9.88), and height of the mother less than 150 cm (AOR = 3.54, 95% CI: 1.07, 11.76) were significantly associated with Low birth weight. CONCLUSION: There was a high prevalence of low birth weight in the study area. Effective dietary counseling and additional diet, implementing proven strategies to prevent preterm birth and avoid smoking during pregnancy might decrease the low birth weight and then enhance child survival.