Abstract:
Background: The world Health Organization WHO defines low birth weight LBW as a newborn having a weight of less than 2500 g at birth. WHO estimates that about 22 million LBW babies are born annually and they often face to short and long term health complications. The rate of LBW is important in, any developing countries as Democratic Republic of Congo. Our study aimed to estimate the prevalence of LBW and identify the risk factors associated to LBW at Rutshuru referral Hospital in neonatology unit.
Methods: We carried out an analytical sectional study from January, 1
st to December 31, 2018. A total of 163 newborns with low birth weight less 2500 g was included in this study. Collected data were analyzed by using SPSS version 20.0. Odds ratio were calculated to determine the relationship between independent and dependent variables.
Results: The prevalence of LBW was 15.4%. Risk factors associated to the low birth weight was single marital status 8.84 [5.29-14.76], unemployed 12.15 [7.1 -20.8], maternal age ≤ 18 years 1.22 [0.78-1.91], low level education 17.1 [9.84-29.71], irregular antenatal care visit 2.85 [1.81-4.49] and low body mass index < 18.5 Kg/ m
2 5.8 [3.85-8.74].
Conclusion: This study demonstrated that low birth weight is major health problem in our study city.
