Low birth weight and associated factors among HIV positive and negative mothers delivered in northwest Amhara region referral hospitals, Ethiopia,2020 a comparative crossectional study

BACKGROUND: Even though pregnancy does not affect HIV infection progression, HIV affects the pregnancy outcome. Maternal HIV infection has many untoward effects which include low birth weight which is the major cause of neonatal, infant, and under-five mortality. However, there is controversy and limited information about the effect of HIV status on birth weight around the world including Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the prevalence of LBW and their associated factors among HIV+ and HIV- mothers delivered in Northwest Amhara region referral hospitals. METHOD: A comparative crossectional study was conducted from September 2016 to September 2019. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 474 participants. Data were collected from the mothers’ chart by using a data extraction sheet and then entered into Epi-data and exported into SPSS for analysis. Independent variables with p-values < 0.2 in the bivariable analysis were entered into multivariable logistic regression models with backward logistic regressions method to control confounders and identify the factor. RESULT: The overall prevalence of LBW was 13.9% (95% CI:10.8%-17.1%). The prevalence was higher among HIV+ 17.7% (95% CI:14.1%-22.8%) than HIV- mothers 10.1% (95% CI:6.3%—13.8%). CD4 count < 200 cells/mm3 [AOR 3.2, 95%CI (1.05, 9.84)] and between 200–350 cells/mm3 [2.81, 95% CI (1,08, 7.28)], Mothers with MUAC <23 cm [AOR 3.39, 95% CI (1.41, 8.18)] and gestational age <37 weeks [AOR 7.34, 95% CI (3.02,17.80)] were significantly associated with LBW in HIV+ mothers. While, rural residence [AOR 3.93,95% CI (1.356,11.40)], PROM during current pregnancy [AOR 4.96, 95% CI (2.55, 15.83)] and gestational age <37 week [AOR 8.21, 95% CI (2.60, 25.89)] were significantly associated with LBW in HIV negative mothers. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of LBW was significantly higher among HIV+ mothers as compared to HIV—mothers and this study suggests to emphasize nutritional supplementation of HIV positive mothers, needs to focus on nutritional counseling during ANC/PMTCT follow up and encourage HIV positive mothers to delay their pregnancy until their immune status improve.