Factors associated with low birth weight in Afghanistan: a cross-sectional analysis of the demographic and health survey 2015

Effects of short inter-pregnancy/birth interval on adverse perinatal outcomes in Asia-Pacific region: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Short inter-pregnancy or birth interval is associated with an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes. However, some emerging evidence questions this association and there are also inconsistencies among the existing findings. This study aimed to systematically review the evidence regarding the effect of short inter-pregnancy or birth intervals on adverse perinatal outcomes in the Asia-Pacific region.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of five databases was conducted targeting studies published between 2000 to 2023. Studies that reported on short inter-pregnancy or birth interval and examined adverse perinatal outcomes, such as low birthweight (LBW) preterm birth (PTB), small for gestational age (SGA), and neonatal mortality were included and appraised for methodological quality using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools. Three reviewers independently screened the studies and performed data extraction. Narrative synthesis and meta-analyses were conducted to summarise the key findings.

RESULTS

A total of 41 studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included. A short-interpregnancy interval was associated with an increased risk of low birthweight (odds ratio [OR] = 1.65; 95%CI:1.39, 1.95), preterm birth (OR = 1.50; 95%CI: 1.35, 1.66), and small for gestational age (OR = 1.24; 95%CI:1.09, 1.41). We also found elevated odds of early neonatal mortality (OR = 1.91; 95%CI: 1.11, 3.29) and neonatal mortality (OR = 1.78; 95%CI: 1.25, 2.55) among women with short birth intervals.

CONCLUSION

This review indicates that both short inter-pregnancy and birth interval increased the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes. This underscores the importance of advocating for and implementing strategies to promote optimal pregnancy and birth spacing to reduce the occurrence of adverse perinatal outcomes. Reproductive health policies and programs need to be further strengthened and promote access to comprehensive family planning services and increase awareness about the importance of optimal pregnancy and birth spacing.

Short birth interval in the Asia-Pacific region: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Short birth interval is associated with an increased risk of adverse health outcomes for mothers and children. Despite this, there is a lack of comprehensive evidence on short birth interval in the Asia-Pacific region. Thus, this study aimed to synthesise evidence related to the definition, classification, prevalence, and predictors of short birth interval in the Asia-Pacific region.

Methods

Five databases (MEDLINE, Scopus, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Maternity and Infant Care, and Web of Science) were searched for studies published between September 2000 and May 2023 (the last search was conducted for all databases in May 2023). We included original studies published in English that reported on short birth interval in the Asia-Pacific region. Studies that combined birth interval with birth order, used multi-country data and were published as conference abstracts and commentaries were excluded. Three independent reviewers screened the articles for relevancy, and two reviewers performed the data extraction and quality assessment. The risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool. The findings were both qualitatively and quantitatively synthesised and presented.

Results

A total of 140 studies met the inclusion criteria for this review. About 58% (n = 82) of the studies defined short birth interval, while 42% (n = 58) did not. Out of 82 studies, nearly half (n = 39) measured a birth-to-birth interval, 37 studies measured a birth-to-pregnancy, four measured a pregnancy-to-pregnancy, and two studies measured a pregnancy loss-to-conception. Approximately 39% (n = 55) and 6% (n = 8) of studies classified short birth intervals as <24 months and <33 months, respectively. Most of the included studies were cross-sectional, and about two-thirds had either medium or high risk of bias. The pooled prevalence of short birth interval was 33.8% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 23.0-44.6, I2 = 99.9%, P < 0.01) among the studies that used the World Health Organization definition.

Conclusions

This review's findings highlighted significant variations in the definition, measurement, classification, and reported prevalence of short birth interval across the included studies. Future research is needed to harmonise the definition and classification of short birth interval to ensure consistency and comparability across studies and facilitate the development of targeted interventions and policies.

Registration

PROSPERO CRD42023426975.

Study on the correlation between maternal serum uric acid and foetal birth weight in Naqu, Tibet

In high-altitude regions, low birth weight is mainly caused by hypoxia. We aimed to determine whether maternal serum uric acid (SUC) level was associated with decreased foetal birth weight. The relevant data of individual pregnant women who delivered between 37 and 40 weeks in the People's Hospital of Naqu City, Tibet were retrospectively collected. The correlation between maternal SUC and birth weight was examined using multivariate linear regression analysis and subgroup analysis. The results showed that there was a significant negative correlation between SUC and birth weight in pregnant women with proteinuria, female foetuses, and primiparas. Fitting smoothing curve analysis showed that there was a negative linear correlation between SUC and birth weight in primiparas and female foetuses. Maternal SUC is negatively associated with foetal birth weight in a single pregnancy with proteinuria, primipara, or female foetuses in the Naqu region of Tibet, China.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Preeclampsia associated with hyperuricaemia can affect foetal birth weight, foetal birth weight in plains area is negatively correlated with maternal hyperuricaemia.What do the results of this study add? Maternal SUC was negatively correlated with foetal birth weight, especially in primipara, mothers with proteinuria, and pregnant girls.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The results suggest that attention should be paid to SUC in pregnant women, especially in primipara, mothers with proteinuria, and pregnant girls, in the prevention of low birth weight infants in Naqu Plateau area of Tibet.

Policy to Decrease Low Birth Weight in Indonesia: Who Should Be the Target?

The study aimed to analyze the target of the policy to decrease low birth weight (LBW) in Indonesia. This cross-sectional study used a sample of live births in last five years preceding the survey of birth weight. Data collection took place from July to September 2017. The weighted sample size was 17,848 participants. The variables analyzed included residence, age, marital status, education, employment, parity, and wealth. The study employed binary logistic regression in the final stage to determine the target of policy regarding LBW. The results showed that women in urban areas were 1.200 times more likely to deliver babies with LBW than women in rural areas. All age groups were less likely to deliver babies with LBW than those aged 45-49. The study also found all marital statuses had a lower likelihood of providing babies with LBW than those who had never been in a marriage. Women of all education levels had a greater risk of giving birth to babies with LBW than women with higher education levels. Unemployed women had 1.033 times more chances of delivering babies with LBW than employed women. Primiparous women were 1.132 times more likely to give birth to babies with LBW than multiparous women. Overall, the women in all wealth status categories had a higher probability of delivering babies with LBW than the wealthiest groups. The study concluded that policymakers should target women who live in urban areas, are old, have never been married, have low education, and are unemployed, primiparous, and poor to decrease LBW cases in Indonesia.

Optimum birth interval (36-48 months) may reduce the risk of undernutrition in children: A meta-analysis

Background

Although some studies have highlighted short birth interval as a risk factor for adverse child nutrition outcomes, the question of whether and to what extent long birth interval affects better nutritional outcomes in children remains unclear.

Methods

In this quantitative meta-analysis, we evaluate the relationship between different birth interval groups and child nutrition outcomes, including underweight, wasting, and stunting.

Results

Forty-six studies with a total of 898,860 children were included in the study. Compared with a short birth interval of <24 months, birth interval of ≥24 months and risk of being underweight showed a U-shape that the optimum birth interval group of 36-48 months yielded the most protective effect (OR = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.32-0.89). Moreover, a birth interval of ≥24 months was significantly associated with decreased risk of stunting (OR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.55-0.67) and wasting (OR = 0.63, 95%CI = 0.50-0.79) when compared with the birth interval of <24 months.

Conclusion

The findings of this study show that longer birth intervals (≥24 months) are significantly associated with decreased risk of childhood undernutrition and that an optimum birth interval of 36-48 months might be appropriate to reduce the prevalence of poor nutritional outcomes in children, especially underweight. This information would be useful to government policymakers and development partners in maternal and child health programs, especially those involved in family planning and childhood nutritional programs.

Socioeconomic inequalities in low birth weight in South Asia: A comparative analysis using Demographic and Health Surveys

Background

Low Birth Weight (LBW) continues to be a prominent universal cause of various short- and long-term health hazards throughout infancy and adulthood. However, no study has revealed the socioeconomic inequalities in LBW among South Asian countries. This study assesses the socioeconomic inequalities among under-five South Asian children with LBW.

Methods

Secondary data were derived from six (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, and Pakistan) nationally representative South Asian Demographic and Health Surveys conducted between 2015 and 2021, and included 170,547 under-five years of age children. The study employed the concentration curve and concentration index to assess the socioeconomic inequalities of those with LBW. Additionally, mixed-effect logistic regression was applied to determine the factors associated with LBW.

Results

A significant negative concentration index indicates the wealth-related and education-related inequalities of LBW among under-five South Asian children. LBW is highly concentrated in the socio-economically poor section of the society. Our study found statistically significant negative concentration index in all South Asian countries: Afghanistan (Education: -0.108), Bangladesh (wealth: -0.070 & education: -0.083), India (wealth: -0.059 & education: -0.052), Nepal (by wealth: -0.064 & by education: -0.080), and Pakistan (by wealth: -0.080 & by education: -0.095). Findings from the mixed-effects logistic regression model also show that children from the poorest quintiles (AOR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.41-1.67) and illiterate mothers (AOR: 1.39, 95% CI: 1.29-1.51) had higher odds of being afflicted with LBW compared to the wealthiest quintiles and educated mothers respectively. Women's pregnancy assessments, such as antenatal care utilisation, iron supplementation intake, and normal delivery mode, are significantly correlated with decreased odds of children's LBW.

Conclusion

There exists a strong association between LBW cases and socioeconomic inequalities among South-Asian children below five years of age. This indicates the urgent need for health education and prenatal care services for women from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan, especially those with lower socioeconomic status.

Factors Associated with Low Birthweight in Low-and-Middle Income Countries in South Asia

Child with Low Birth Weight (LBW) has a higher risk of infant mortality, learning difficulties in childhood due to stunted growth and impaired neurodevelopment, is more likely to develop heart diseases and diabetes in adulthood. This study aimed to evaluate the latest demographic and health surveys (DHSs) across multiple countries in South Asia to determine the factors associated with LBW among these countries. Latest available DHS data across Afghanistan (2015, n = 29,461), Bangladesh (2018, n = 20,127), Nepal (2016, n = 12,862), and Pakistan (2018, n = 15,068) were analysed. Complex survey adjusted generalized linear models were fitted to investigate the association of birth weight with sociodemographic and decision-making factors. Pakistan had the highest proportion of LBW at 18% followed by Afghanistan and Bangladesh at around 14% and Nepal had the lowest (13%). Children born in Pakistan were more likely to have LBW children than Afghanistan (AOR = 2.17, 95% CI = 1.49-3.14). Mothers living in rural areas (AOR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.61-0.97), with highly educated partners and belonging to richer families were less susceptible to having child with LBW. To reduce 30% LBW in-line with the World Health Organisation's 2025 goal, policymakers in SA should focus on women in urban areas with low-educated partners belonging to poor households to ease LBW burden.

Effects of inter-pregnancy intervals on preterm birth, low birth weight and perinatal deaths in urban South Ethiopia: a prospective cohort study

Background

Preterm birth, low birth weight and perinatal deaths are common adverse perinatal outcomes that are linked with each other, and a public health problems contributing to neonatal mortality, especially in developing countries. Although more than half of women in Ethiopia become pregnant within a short interval after the preceding childbirth, whether the short intervals increase the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes or not is understudied. We, therefore, aimed to assess the effects of inter-pregnancy intervals (IPIs) on the adverse perinatal outcomes.

Methods

A community-based prospective cohort study was conducted among 2578 pregnant women in urban South Ethiopia. Pregnant women with IPIs < 24 months (IPIs < 18 and 18–23 months) were exposed groups, and those with IPI 24–60 months were the unexposed group. A multilevel analysis (mixed-effects) was done to estimate the effect of IPIs on preterm birth and low birth weight, and a generalized linear model for a binary outcome (fixed-effect) was done for perinatal deaths, using a 95% confidence level.

Results

In this study, IPI < 18 months found to increase the risk of preterm birth (Adjusted Relative Risk (ARR) = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.78), term low birth weight (ARR = 2.20, 95% CI: 1.35, 3.58) and perinatal deaths (ARR = 3.83, 95% CI: 1.90, 7.71) than 24–60 months. The results suggest that, about 9% of preterm birth, 21% of term low birth weight and 41% of perinatal deaths in the study population were attributed to IPI < 18 months. These could be prevented with the removal of the IPI < 18 months in the study population. IPI 18–23 months has shown no effect on the three adverse perinatal outcomes.

Conclusion

This study has shown that, IPI under 18 months has a higher risk of adverse perinatal outcomes than IPI 24–60 months. Due attention should still be given for spacing pregnancies.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40748-022-00138-w.

Sex inequality in under-five deaths and associated factors in low and middle-income countries: a Fairlie decomposition analysis

Background

There exist sex disparities in the burden of Under-five deaths (U5D) with a higher prevalence among male children. Factors explaining this inequality remain unexplored in Low-and Medium-Income Countries (LMIC). This study quantified the contributions of the individual- and neighborhood-level factors to sex inequalities in U5D in LMIC.

Methods

Demographic and Health Survey datasets (2010-2018) of 856,987 under-five children nested in 66,495 neighborhoods across 59 LMIC were analyzed. The outcome variable was U5D. The main group variable was the sex of the child while individual-level and neighborhood-level factors were the explanatory variables. Fairlie decomposition analysis was used to quantify the contributions of explanatory factors to the male-female inequalities in U5D at p<0.05.

Results

Overall weighted prevalence of U5D was 51/1000 children, 55 among males and 48 among females (p<0.001). Higher prevalence of U5D was recorded among male children in all countries except Liberia, Kyrgyz Republic, Bangladesh, Nepal, Armenia, Turkey and Papua New Guinea. Pro-female inequality was however not significant in any country. Of the 59 countries, 25 had statistically significant pro-male inequality. Different factors contributed to the sex inequality in U5D in different countries including birth order, birth weight, birth interval and multiple births.

Conclusions

There were sex inequalities in the U5D in LMIC with prominent pro-male-inequality in many countries. Interventions targeted towards the improvement of the health system that will, in turn, prevent preterm delivery and improve management of prematurity and early childhood infection (which are selective threats to the male child survival) are urgently required to address this inequality.

Maternal and neonatal factors associated with low birth weight among neonates delivered at the University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital, Northwest Ethiopia

INTRODUCTION

Low birth weight is a major contributory factor to infant mortality. Although low birth weight remains an important public health problem in Ethiopia, little emphasis is paid to its intervention as a means of reducing neonatal mortality. The aim of this study was to assess the magnitude of low birth weight and its associated maternal and neonatal factors in newborns delivered at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital.

METHODS

Hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted, and 481 study participants were selected using systematic random sampling methods. Pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to collect the data. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression was implemented. Finally, the odds ratio with a 95% CI and a p-value of <0.05 were used to identify factors associated with low birth weight.

RESULT

The prevalence of low birth weight was 12.5% (95% CI; 9.8, 15.7%). Preterm birth (AOR = 38; 95% CI: 15.3, 93.0), pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) (AOR = 2.6; 95%CI: 1.1, 6.4), maternal body mass index (BMI) of < 18.5 kg/m² (AOR = 6.8; 95% CI: 1.5, 31.1), and grand multiparity (AOR = 4.2; 95% CI: 1.2, 16) were factors positively associated with low birth weight. However, babies delivered from mothers with age > 35 years (AOR = 0.14:95% CI 0.03, 0.7) had lower odds of low birth weight.

CONCLUSION

In this study, the prevalence of low birth weight was higher than in the previous studies. The study revealed preterm birth, PIH, BMI of < 18.5 kg/m², and grand multiparity were independent factors that increase the low birth weight while maternal age > 35 years reduces the low birth weight. Therefore, healthcare professionals should emphasize the early identification and management of women with PIH, tackling prematurity, and preventing maternal malnutrition through nutritional counseling as much as possible.

Lived experiences of women with low birth weight infants in the Solomon Islands: A descriptive qualitative study

Every year, around 20 million women worldwide give birth to low birth weight (LBW) infants, with majority of these births occurring in low-and middle-income countries, including the Solomon Islands. Few studies have explored the pregnancy lived experience of women who deliver LBW infants. The aim of the study is to understand the lived experience of women in the Solomon Islands who gave birth to LBW infants by exploring their personal (socio-demographic and health), behavioural, social and environmental contexts. We used a qualitative descriptive approach and purposely selected 18 postnatal women with LBW infants in the Solomon Islands for an in-depth interview. All data were analysed using thematic analysis in NVivo. We identified six themes reported as being related to LBW: health issues, diet and nutrition, substance use, domestic violence, environmental conditions and antenatal care. Our findings suggest that women in the Solomon Islands are exposed to various personal, behavioural, social and environmental risk factors during pregnancy that can impact birth outcomes, particularly LBW. We recommend further research should be redirected to look at the factors/themes identified in the interviews.

Noncompliance with the WHO's Recommended Eight Antenatal Care Visits among Pregnant Women in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Multilevel Analysis

BACKGROUND

In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) introduced a minimum of eight antenatal care (ANC) visits for positive pregnancy outcomes. This study examined the prevalence of noncompliance with 8+ ANCvisits and its associated factors in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

METHODS

We used data from the Demographic and Health Surveys of eight countries in SSA. A pooled sample of 63,266 pregnant women aged 15-49 years who had given birth to children within 5 years prior to the surveys was included in this study. To examine the factors associated with noncompliance with ANC 8+ visits, multilevel binary logistic regression analysis was conducted, and the results were reported using odds radios at 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

The pooled prevalence of noncompliance with ANC 8+ visits was 92.3% (95% CI: 91.1%-93.3%) with the highest and lowest prevalence in Zambia (98.7%, 95% CI: 98.3%-99.1%) and Libya (73.4%, 95% CI: 70.4%-76.2%), respectively. With the individual level factors, women's age (44-49 years-aOR = 0.33, 9% CI: 0.14-0.78), health insurance registration, (yes-aOR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.29-0.98), and economic status (richest-aOR = 0.16, 95% CI: 0.05-0.49) were negatively associated with noncompliance with 8+ ANC visits, while parity (five or more children-aOR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.12-2.52) was positively associated with noncompliance with 8+ ANC visit. With the community level factors, community level literacy was negatively associated with noncompliance with 8+ ANC visit (high-aOR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.32-0.99).

CONCLUSION

About eight out of ten pregnant women did not comply with the WHO's recommended minimum of eight ANC visits for positive pregnancy outcomes in SSA. Empowering the economic status of women , enhancing health insurance and education coverage, and giving more attention to young pregnant women and those with more children are crucial for improving the coverage of ANC 8+ visits in the region.

Mapping the prevalence and socioeconomic predictors of low birth weight among Bangladeshi newborns: evidence from the 2019 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey

BACKGROUND

Low birth weight (LBW) remains a global concern for childhood morbidity and mortality. This study examined the socioeconomic factors associated with LBW among Bangladeshi newborns and drew a district-level prevalence map.

METHODS

Data were extracted from the 2019 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey for Bangladesh. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the predictors of LBW.

RESULTS

The prevalence of LBW among Bangladeshi newborns was found to be 14.5%. Overall, the Eastern and South-Eastern regions had a higher burden of LBW. Mothers' educational status, mode of delivery, wealth index quintile of the household and area were identified as independent predictors of newborns' LBW. Mothers who completed primary and secondary education grades had a 1.6- and 1.3-fold higher possibility of having an LBW baby compared with those who completed higher secondary or higher educational grades (adjusted OR=1.62 and 1.32, 95% CI 1.21 to 2.18 and 1.06 to 1.65, respectively). Children belonging to the poorest households and residing in urban areas had a 1.4-fold higher likelihood of being LBW (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates that LBW is still highly prevalent in Bangladesh. Immediate public health action is required in the highly prevalent regions identified in this study.

Adverse perinatal outcomes and its associated factors among adult and advanced maternal age pregnancy in Northwest Ethiopia

Even though reduction of neonatal mortality is needed to achieve Sustainable Development Goals 2030, advanced maternal age is still an independent and a substantial risk factor for different adverse perinatal outcomes, in turn causes neonatal morbidity and mortality. In Ethiopia, research has validated that advanced maternal age is a significant factor in adverse perinatal outcomes, but researches which addressed or estimated its adverse perinatal outcomes are limited, reported inconsistent result and specifically no study was done in the study area. Therefore, this study was aimed to compare adverse perinatal outcomes and its associated factors among women with adult and advanced maternal age pregnancy in Northwest Ethiopia. Comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in Awi Zone, public hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia. Systematic random sampling was employed to select 348 adult and 176 advanced aged pregnant women. Structured questionnaire were used to collect the data. The collected data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 25. Binary and multivariate logistic regressions were fitted to assess the association between adverse perinatal outcomes and explanatory variables. P-value less than 0.05 was used to declare statistical significance. Significant percentage of advanced aged women (29.1%) had adverse perinatal outcomes compared to (14.5%) adult aged women. Similarly, proportion low birth weight, preterm birth and low Apgar score were significantly higher among advanced maternal age. The odds of composite adverse perinatal outcomes were higher among advanced maternal age women when compared to adult aged women (AOR 2.01, 95% CI 1.06, 3.79). No formal education (AOR 2.75, 95% CI 1.27, 5.95), short birth interval (AOR 2.25, 95% CI 1.07, 4.73) and complications during pregnancy (AOR 2.12, 95% CI 1.10, 4.10) were also factors significantly associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. Being advanced maternal age is at higher risk for adverse perinatal outcomes compared to adult aged women. Maternal illiteracy, short birth interval and complications during pregnancy were also significantly associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. Access of equal education, provision of family planning and perinatal care (including early detection and management of complication) is recommended.

A study of low birth weight prevalence and risk factors among newborns in a public-hospital at Kilis, Turkey

Background

Low birth weight (LBW) is an important indicator of reproductive health and general health status of population.

Objectives

The present study was aimed to estimate the prevalence of low birth weight (LBW), and to investigate the associations between some risk factors and LBW in Syrian refugee and Turkish population in Kilis, Turkey.

Methods

The population of this study constituted of a total of 4379 infants born in Kilis State Hospital in 2016 using a retrospective cross-sectional study design. The data were collected from birth records. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of low birth weight. Factors with a p-value < 0.05 were deemed to be statistically significant.

Results

The prevalence of LBW was 6.7% in all groups. Significant relationships were found between young maternal age, Syrian refugee mother, female infants, cesarean delivery and LBW.

Conclusion

The prevalence of low birth weight in the study area was comparatively lower than that of countrywide figure. Maternal related variables like, maternal age, mother's nationality, and mode of birth (vaginal, cesarean) take after up as well as new-born related variables like gender of the neonate were significantly related with low birth weight.

Predictors of Low Birth Weight at Lumbini Provincial Hospital, Nepal: A Hospital-Based Unmatched Case Control Study

Background

Low birth weight (LBW) is defined as the birth weight of live born infants below 2500 g, regardless of gestational age. It is a public health problem caused by factors that are potentially modifiable. The purpose of this study was to determine the socioeconomic, obstetric, and maternal factors associated with LBW in Lumbini Provincial Hospital, Nepal.

Methods

The study was conducted using case control study design with 1 : 2 case control ratio. A total of 105 cases and 210 controls were taken in this study. Data were entered on Epi data software version 3.1 and exported to Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software version 25 for analysis. Characteristics of the sample were described using mean and standard deviation. Bivariate analysis was done to assess the association between dependent and independent variables. The ultimate measure of association was odds ratio. Variables found to be associated with bivariate analysis were entered into a multivariable logistic regression model to identify predictors of LBW.

Results

The mean age of the participants was 25.98 years with ±4.40 standard deviation. Mothers with literate educational background (AOR 0.32, 95% CI 0.13–0.81), housewife (AOR 2.63, 95% CI 1.11–6.20), vaginal mode of delivery (AOR 0.45, 95% CI 0.25–0.82), gestational age <37 weeks (AOR 2.51, 95% CI 1.15–5.48), history of LBW (AOR 5.12, 95% CI 1.93–13.60), and maternal weight <50 kilograms (AOR 2.23, 95% CI 1.23–4.02) were significantly associated with LBW.

Conclusion

Educational and occupational status, mode of delivery, gestational age, maternal weight, and history of LBW were found to be independent predictors of LBW. There is need of developing coordination with education sector for increasing educational status of mothers and adolescent girls. Social determinants of health need to be considered while developing interventional programs. Similarly, interventional programs need to be developed considering identified predictors of low birth weight.