Household food insecurity and physically demanding work during pregnancy are risk factors for low birth weight in north Shewa zone public hospitals, Central Ethiopia, 2021: a multicenter cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Despite numerous efforts to improve the quality of maternal and child health medical services, over 20 million babies are born with low birth weights each year globally. However, factors related to low birth weight like physically demanding work during pregnancy, intimate partner violence, and food insecurity have not been explored well in Ethiopia. Thus, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of low birth weight and associated factors among neonates born in public Hospitals in North Shewa Zone, Central Ethiopia. METHODS: A hospital-based cross-sectional study design was conducted from June 15 –to July 15, 2021, in North Shewa public hospitals. A total of 441 mothers and newborn pairs were selected by systematic random sampling. Data were collected using a pretested and structured interviewer-administered questionnaire with chart reviewing. Data entry and analysis were done using Epi Data version 3.1 and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 26 respectively. Binary logistic regression was done to identify factors associated with low birth weight. Adjusted odds ratio with its 95% confidence interval and a p-value less than 0.05 was considered to declare the statistically significant association. RESULTS: The prevalence of low-birth-weight was 17.7% (95% CI: 14.3, 21.5). Pregnancy-related complication [AOR = 2.16; 95% CI:(1.12,4.18)], grand-multiparty [AOR = 2.57; 95% CI:(1.12,5.88)], physically demanding work during pregnancy [AOR = 2.19; 95% CI:(1.11,4.33)], midd-upper arm circumference less than 23 cm [AOR = 2.54; 95% CI:(1.26,5.10)], partner violence during pregnancy [AOR = 3.77; 95% CI:(1.81,7.88)], and being member of household with food insecure [AOR = 2.31; 95% CI:(1.12,4.75)] were factors significantly associated with low birth weight. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the magnitude of low birth weight was relatively high. Women with pregnancy-related complications, grand multiparty, physically demanding work during pregnancy, intimate partner violence, mid-upper arm circumference less than 23 cm, and food insecurity should be prioritized for mitigating LBW. Health care professionals should focus on Screening pregnant women for intimate partner violence, physically demanding activities, undernutrition and providing appropriate treatment during all maternal continuum of care might be helpful. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12887-022-03480-2.