Risk Factors for Low Birth Weight among Neonates Delivered in Public Health Facilities in Adama Town, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

Back ground: Low birth weight is the major predictor of prenatal mortality and morbidity worldwide. It has been defined by the World Health Organization as weight at birth of less than 2,500 grams irrespective of their gestational age. Rate of low birth weight is still high in developing countries like Ethiopia particularly Oromia regional state where adequate primary health care services for maternal and child health are not universally available to all the populations. It is therefore imperative to identify risk factors for low birth weight in various communities in order to come up with feasible intervention strategies to minimize the problem.