The Relationship Between Low Birth Weight and Household Food Insecurity in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. a Case Control Study

Abstract

Background: Low birth weight is defined as birth weight of less than 2500 grams .It is a public health problem affecting 15%-20% of births worldwide. The great majority of low birth weight occurs in low and middle income countries especially in the most vulnerable population such as sub-Saharan countries which account 13% of low birth weight. The trend of low birth weight decline in Ethiopia from 14.6% in 2005 to 11% in 2011. But if these trends continue in this manner Ethiopia might not achieve the global nutrition target of low birth weight reduction by 30% in 2025. Food and nutrition are critically important to support healthy pregnancy. But food insecurity prevents many women meeting guideline for healthy eating during pregnancy. Inconsistency and little information between relationship of food insecurity and low birth weight was the rationally to study on this area. Objective: To assess the relationship between low birth weight and household food insecurity in public hospitals, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: Unmatched case control study was conducted among mother with their term neonate in governmental hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A total of 480 (120 cases and 360 controls) neonate was included in the study. Case was term baby weighed <2500grams and control was term baby weighed ≥2500 grams. In each selected hospital selection of case was made as case found and the next three eligible newborn was controls. The data were collected using interviewer administer structured questioner. Necessary permission to conduct the study obtained from research and ethics committee of Addis Ababa University and Addis Ababa health bureau. Data were entered into EPI data 3.1 computer programs and analyzed using STATA 14. Bivariate and Multivariate analysis was done to identify independent predictor of low birth weight using binomial and multivariate logistic regression. The adjusted odd ratio was used to determine the strength of association and corresponding CI was used to decide whether statically significant between the explanatory variable and outcome variable. Result: A total of 116 cases and 352 controls were included in the analysis. After adjusting potential confounder mothers in food insecure household were strongly associated with low birth weight AOR 3.58 CI (1.79-7.16). In addition MUAC, hypertension and age were independently associated with low birth weight with corresponding AOR of [AOR 7.7 CI (4.39-13.60)], [AOR 4.81 CI (2.33-9.93)] and [AOR 3.88 CI (1.35-11.15)]. xi Conclusion: Mothers from food insecure household were about four times more likely to give birth with low weight against their counterpart in governmental hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Beside hypertension, MUAC and early age were significantly associated with low birth weight. Key words: Low birth weight, Household, food insecurity, neonate, mothers.