Maternal factors associated with low birth weight in public hospitals of Mekelle city, Ethiopia: a case-control study

BACKGROUND: Mothers in low socio-economic conditions frequently have low birth weight infants. Inaddition Physically demanding work during pregnancy also contributes to poor fetal growth. During gestation a woman needs balanced nutrition for a healthy outcome. Women with inadequate nutritional status at conception are at greater risk of aquiring disease; their health usually depends on the availability and consumption of balanced diet, and therefore they are unlikely to be able to resist with their high nutrient needs during pregnancy. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to assess the maternal risk factors associated low birth weight in public hospitals of Mekelle city, Tigray North Ethiopia, 2017/2018. METHODS: Un-matched case-control study design was conducted among women who delivered in public hospitals of Mekelle city. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire through interview, direct physical assessment and medical record review of mothers. Sample size was calculated by Epi-info version 7.0 to get a final sample size of 381(cases = 127 and controls = 254). SPSS version 20 was used for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the effect of the independent variables on birth weight. Presence of significant association was determined using OR with its 95%CI. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered to declare statistical significance. Table, graphs and texts were used to present the data. RESULT: Most of the mothers (70.1% cases and 43.7% controls) were housewives. This study showed that maternal age ≤ 20 years (AOR = 6.42(95% CI = (1.93–21.42)), ANC follow up (AOR = 3.73(95%CI (1.5–9.24)), History of medical illness (AOR = 14.56(95% CI (3.69–57.45), Iron folate intake (AOR = 21.56(95%CI (6.54–71.14)), Maternal height less than 150 cm (AOR = 9.27(95%CI 3.45–24.89)) and Pregnancy weight gain (AOR = 4.93(95%CI = 1.8–13.48) were significant predictors of low birth weight. CONCLUSION: The study suggests that inadequate ANC follow-up, preterm birth and history of chronic medical illness, maternal height, pregnancy weight gain, and Iron intake were. Were significant predictors of low birth weight. Health professionals should screen and consulate pregnant mothers who are at risk of having infants with LBW and ensure that women have access to essential health information on the causes of low birth weight.