Patterns of Birth Weight at a Community Level in Southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Birth weight data are not routinely measured and recorded in Ethiopia and most of the analysis were based on births occurred in health institutions but such analysis lack representativeness as most deliveries are occurring at home. To fill this gap and issues related to representativeness a community based study that identified a one-year live birth cohort of 8,273 in Jimma, Illubabor and Keffa zones, South West Ethiopia was undertaken to determine patterns and identify independent factors contributing for birth weight. METHODS: This was a  community-based longitudinal study, which attempts to record birth-weight by using existing net-work of community health workers. RESULTS: The results of the study found an estimated low birth weight rate of 10.0% that varied between residential areas, marital status, monthly family income, parity and mothers' experience of previous child deaths. In addition, number of antenatal clinic attendances, type of birth, sex of the foetus, season of birth, source of drinking water and type of latrine facility showed variation in low birth weight rates. These factors also showed independent and significant effect on birth weight patterns. CONCLUSION: Based on the findings of this study it is recommended that improving antenatal care visits of mother during pregnancy, delaying the age at first delivery, increasing access to safe water supply and access to pit latrine facility to families could improve birth weight patterns that could improve survival and subsequent growth of children.

Ethiop J Health Sci. Vol. 14, No. 1 January 2004