Abstract
According to the World Health Organization, it estimates that the incidence of low birth weight (LBW) is 15.5%, which means that 95.5% of infants are born each year, about 20.6 million of them in developing countries. Despite several interventions addressed to control LBW babies, their prevalence is going up and remains a challenge. In 2013, the report from the United Nations Children’s Fund, estimated that 22 million infants were born with less than 2500 grams and the incidents were around 16% worldwide, and most died in the neonatal period.
Objective: Low birth weight is a global concern in both developed and developing countries. This problem represents a high proportion in Africa and Asia. In Rwanda, low birth weight is also conspicuous. The main objective of this study is to assess the prevalence of low birth weight and associated factors in Gakoma District Hospital.
Methods: A cross-sectional research design adopted with quantitative approaches. The study population was 182 mothers delivered in the Gakoma District Hospital during July 2019. The researcher used a semi-structured questionnaire known as a structured interview tool. This research tool contained closed-ended questionnaires related to the study objectives and checked children’s cards for showing their birth weight.
Results: The results found that the prevalence of low birth weight was 12.8% in Gakoma District Hospital. The low birth weight in neonates’ were associated with partner’s employment (Adjusted Odds Ratio: AOR = 39.5, 95% Confidence Interval: CI: (4.182–373.104)), mothers’ previous weight status (AOR = 14.5, 95% CI: (4.182–373.104)), having malaria during pregnancy (AOR = 113.75, 95% CI: (22.873–565.686)), having tuberculosis during pregnancy (AOR = 12.346, 95% CI: (1.885–80.872)), and suffering from chronic diseases during pregnancy (AOR = 20.357, 95% CI: (5.757–71.987)). On the other hand, alcohol consumption during pregnancy (AOR = 0.29, 95% CI: (0.007–0.115)) had a preventive effect on low birth weight.
Conclusion: Low birth weight baby is associated with partners’ employment, and previous baby birth weight though other socio-demographic factors are not associated. Low birth weight babies are associated with the following health status such as suffering from malaria, tuberculosis during pregnancy and chronic diseases.
Nzimurinda E, Nzayisenga J, Mureithi C, Habtu M. Prevalence and factors associated with low birth weight among neonates in Rwanda: a prospective cross-sectional study. Life Res. 2021;4(2):16. doi:10.12032/life2021-0401-0510.
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