Maternal Nutritional Characteristics and It‟S Association on Newborn Weight at Birth In Bedele Town, Southwest, Ethiopia, 2021.

Abstract

Background: Maternal malnourishment has significant, serious, long-term effects on both mother and child. A birth weights such as low birth weight (LBW) impose a huge burden on families, health care system, education, and social services. The association of maternal diet and nutritional characteristics on newborn birth weight is not studied in the study area. Therefore, it is necessary to assess the nutritional status of pregnant women to avoid various complications. Objective: To assess the association between maternal nutritional characteristics and newborn birth weight among mothers who delivered in health institutions in Bedele Town, southwest Ethiopia, 2021. Methods: Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 385 pregnant mothers who delivered in both health institutions in Bedele Town from May 26 to July 26 2021. Data were entered into EPI data version 4.6 and analyzed using SPSS version 26.0. Bivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent variables for multivariable logistic regression at p-value <0.25. Multivariable logistic regression was employed to assess the association between birth weight and list of independent variables and to test statistically significant variable that was considered at p-value <0.05. Result: Mothers with >23 cm MUAC were 1.1 times less likely to deliver LBW (AOR= 1.13 [95%CI= 1.23, 3.42]). Majority of newborns had normal birth weight (84.4%) with mean birth weight of 3029.6 ± 431.5 grams and only 11.9% of newborns had low birth weight. Rural residence are 2.5 times more likely to be low birth weight (AOR 2.5 [95%CI 1.5, 34]) and women who had family size less than five were 1.2 times have LBW baby (AOR=1.2 [95%=CI 0.2, 6.7]).Mothers who didn‟t take iron folate supplementation on current pregnancy (AOR = 3.4 [95% CI: 0.3, 38]) were 3.4 times more likely to be exposed to LBW. Conclusion and Recommendation: The associated factor of newborn birth weight was maternal MUAC, parity, family size and additional meal. Improving the nutritional status of pregnant mothers through nutrition counseling at antenatal care at all levels and improving socio-economic status by creating access to micro financing is essential for both maternal and newborn health.