Abstract

Back ground: Low birth weight (LBW) is a worldwide public health problem. Ethiopia is one of the countries greatly affected. LBW is not only the major cause of negative health outcome in infancy and childhood, but it also affects the health outcome in later life. The nutritional status of mother may have a great influence onbirth weight of the newborn and its early development. LBW imposes a considerable burden to health sector and on society as a whole. Objective: This study aims to assess the magnitude of LBW and associated factors among new bornin public hospitals of Addis Ababa Ethiopia. Methods: Hospital based cross-sectional study was undertaken from April to May 2015. A total of 457 mothers were proportionally elected from the three hospitals and interviewed using Pre tested structured interviewer administered questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed and interpreted to respond to the objective. Result: The magnitude of low birth weight was 8.8%. Low birth weight was more likely associated with timing of ANC visit (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 7.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] :1.15, 47.79), taking extra meal during pregnancy (AOR=0.25, 95% CI: 0.06, 0.96), type of pregnancy (AOR=0.30, 95% CI:0.09, 0.97) and iron/folic acid supplementation (AOR=0.30 , 95% CI: 0.09, 0.99). Conclusion and recommendation: Low birth weight was substantial and strengthening the public health intervention that put into consideration the factors identified here are essential.