Prevalence of low birth weight babies and the associated maternal risk factor at Naivasha District Hospital

Abstract

INTRODUCTION ; The global incidence of LBW is estimated at 15.5% of all births with 95% of these low birth weight babies being born in developing countries. Birth weight is reported for 47% of births in Kenya and therefore it is difficult to make an accurate estimate of prevalence of LBW. JUSTIFICATION; Lack of information on the burden of Low Birth Weight limits the planning for provision of care for this population. This study was done to avail local data which will guide the provision of care for LBW babies at Naivasha District Hospital. OBJECTIVES; The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of low birth weight babies at Naivasha District Hospital and to describe the risk factors associated with low birth weight. METHODOLOGY A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among newly delivered mothers and newborn baby pairs born at the maternity unit of the hospital. Mother-baby pairs were recruited by consecutive sampling of all babies born at the facility over two months. Data analysis was by STATA11.0 and univariate and multivariate analysis was done. RESULTS; Three hundred and twenty one mother-baby pairs were sampled. The prevalence of LBW was found to be 13.7%. They compromised of 13(30.2%) small for gestational age babies and 30 (69.8%) premature babies as qualified by the Finnstroms score. The males wer3w26(15.5%) males amongst the low birth weight babies compared to 16(11.2%) females.. First order pregnancies, was associated with increased risk of LBW OR 0.3 [(95% CI 0.16-0.64) p<0.001]. For each unit increase in MUAC (cm) the mean birth weight increased by 28.4 grams 11 (95% CI 13-43.9 gms, p value < 0.001). Finnstroms score (p value=0.007), head circumference (p value<0.001) were associated with LBW. CONCLUSIONS; The prevalence of LBW at NDH was 13.7%. First order pregnancy and low maternal MUAC were significant risk factors for LBW