ASSESSMENT OF LOW BIRTH WEIGHT AND RESPONSIBLE FACTORS FOR NEWBORN INFANTS IN TEPI GENERAL HOSPITAL, SOUTH WESTERN ETHIOPIA

Background: Birth weight plays an important role in infant mortality and morbidity, child development, and future health of the child. This study assessed and identified the determinants of weight of newborn children at birth in Tepi General Hospital, South Western Ethiopia.

Methods: The data for this study was extracted by reviewing delivery registration medical record and card of the study subject. A total of 1838 newborn infants were considered. Chi- square test and Binary logistic regression model were used for data analysis in this study.

Results: According to this study, from the sampled newborn infants 616 (33.52%) of infants weight is below 2500grams and 1222 (66.48%) of newborn infants weight is 2500 grams and above. The prevalence of low birth weight of newborn infants is 33.52%. The estimated odds ratio (OR) of place of residence or maternal residence (rural) is equals to exp(0.243)= 1.275 (95% CI: 1.020, 1594), indicates that rural children are 1.275 times more likely to be low birth weight child at birth as compared to urban children holding all other variables constant.

Conclusion: Children from rural mothers, mothers who did not get more antenatal care visits, mothers who did not get more vaccination during pregnancy, are gives low birth weight at birth or they are not normal at birth. Birth order of children at birth and mothers’ pregnancy problem are directly related in this study.