Prevalence and associated factors of child's birth weight in Malawi: Evidence from 2015/16 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey

Martin Enock Palamuleni, North West University
Monica Akokuwebe, North-West University

Low birth weight affects babies not only during their infancy but also has long-term consequences for their health as adults. The objective of this paper is to determine the prevalence and determinants of low birth weight in Malawi. The study is based on the analysis of the 2015-16 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey. The study population comprised of 10774 women of childbearing age groups who had live birth within five years preceding the survey. Chi-square test and bivariate and multivariable logistics regression analyses were used to examine the relationship between the independent variables and low birth weight. The prevalence of LBW was 9.4%. The factors significantly associated with LBW were age of the child 13 months and over [AOR=0.64, 95%CI=0.52-0.78], height of the child [AOR=0.50, 95%CI=0.28-0.88], birth order: second born [AOR=0.52, 95%CI=0.43-0.63], third born [AOR=0.49, 95%CI=0.40-0.61], fourth born [AOR=0.53, 95%CI=0.43-0.66], firth-born and order [AOR=0.55, 95%CI=0.46-0.66], mother’s age 15-24 [AOR=0.62, 95%CI=0.54-0.72], mother’s age 25-34 [AOR=0.83, 95%CI=0.70-1.00], mother’s education: secondary age 25-34 [AOR=0.83, 95%CI=0.70-1.00], wealth status: rich [AOR=0.78, 95%CI=0.68-0.90], Adequate ANC visits [AOR=0.81, 95%CI=0.71-0.92] and iron supplementation [AOR=2.78, 95%CI=1.15-2.16]. Policy and decision makers working on maternal and child health should focus on identified factors to tackle the problem of birth weight.

Keywords: Health and Morbidity, Mortality and Longevity, Population and Development, Children, Adolescents, and Youth

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