Analysis of birth weight in Metu Karl hospital: South West Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Birth weight is a sensitive indicator for predicting the chances of both infant survival and healthy child growth and development. Low birth weight continues to remain a major public health problem related to poverty, social factors such as lower status of women, malnutrition, lack of anti-natal care, etc., in Ethiopia in contrast to what is observed in many developing countries. The objective of this study was to determine birth weight distribution and its association with some risk factors among newborns delivered in Metu Karl hospital Metu town (South-West Ethiopia) from February 2003 - February 2005.

METHODS: A cross sectional retrospective study was conducted in the month of April 2005. Information collected includes variables such as: birth weight of neonates, maternal residence, maternal age, maternal occupational status, marital status, parity, history of antenatal care follow up, sex of the new born and season of delivery. Data was collected from the registration book and cards of the study subjects using preformed data collection format. The collected information was analyzed by SPSS computer statistical package at Jimma University.

RESULT: A total of 1832 singleton live births were included in the study. The over all prevalence of Low Birth Weight (LBW) was 8.6% and the overall mean birth weight was 3147gms where as for males and females it was 3265gm and 3007gms respectively. Sex of the newborn, antenatal care follow up and obstetric illness during the last pregnancy was significantly related to birth weight.

CONCLUSION: Based on the results improving antenatal care, maternal and child health and family planning services, health education especially for reproductive age groups and appropriate record keeping systems were recommended.