Prevalence and Risk Factors of Low Birth Weight in Southeast Iran: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Low birth weight (LBW, < 2.5 kg) is an important indicator of health and a serious public health concern in low- and middle-income countries. Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of LBW and to identify its associated factors in Khash city, Iran. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, using a census method, on 590 mothers who gave birth in the public hospitals in Khash city, Sistan and Baluchestan, Iran from January 01 to December 30, 2023. Sociodemographic characteristics of mothers delivered and characteristics related to newborn was collected by a self-administered questionnaire. The data were analyzed in SPSS software, version 22. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was used to declare significant factors associated with LBW at birth. Results: Prevalence of LBW was 13.7% (95% CI: 11 - 16.7). Significant associations were observed between LBW and mother’s occupational status, gestational age, type of pregnancy and height of neonate (P < 0.05). Also, gestational age less than 37 weeks and baby's height of less than 50 cm increase the risk of LBW by 4.4 times (95% CI = 2.5 - 7.9) and 41.2 times (95% CI = 3.6 - 469.4), respectively. Conclusions: In the study area, there was a high prevalence of LBW. Effective nutritional counseling and the incorporation of dietary strategies, along with the implementation of proven methods to prevent preterm births, could help reduce instances of LBW and subsequently improve survival rates among infants.