Abstract:

Low birth has been one of the major problems interfering with child health. It occurs when a child has a birth weight of less than 2500 grams. It can be due to preterm birth or a term infant being small for gestation age. It has been documented to be the major cause of morbidity among neonates.

The objectives of the study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with low birth weight among neonates born at Bugando medical centre hospital, Mwanza. A prospective cross sectional study was carried out among low birth weight neonates born at Bugando hospital. Sampling procedure was by convenience and a total of….neonates were recruited in the study.

A total of 1763 infants were enrolled in this study where 209 (10.85%) were found to have been born with low birth weight. Premature delivery was the most common reason low birth weight which was 173 (83%) of those who had low birth weight. The low birth weight was also strongly associated with multiple gestation where 99 (47%) babies were multiples, low socioeconomic status whereby 19.8% of small scale peasants had low birth weight babies. High risk pregnancy also contributed multiple independent risks.

Based on this study; prematurity, multiple gestation, low socioeconomic status and high risk pregnancy were the most important risk factors for LBW. There was also a association between maternal age low birth weight.

Antenatal care services that focus on screening for and managing factors associated with low birth weight is needed to reduce the number of low birth weight in our country.