Low birth weight (LBW) remains a significant public health challenge with profound implications for neonatal and child health, particularly in low-income countries. Defined by the World Health Organization as a birth weight of less than 2.5 kilograms, LBW contributes to increased neonatal mortality and long-term developmental issues. This study examines the prevalence and determinants of LBW in Nigeria, leveraging data from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS). The study employs a cross-sectional design and a stratified two-stage sampling technique, analyzing 7,728 recorded birth weights. Key findings indicate that maternal age, education, and socio-economic status significantly influence birth weight. Optimal reproductive ages (25-34 years) and higher educational attainment are associated with healthier birth weights, whereas younger (below 20 years) and older mothers (above 40 years), and those with lower education levels, face higher LBW risks. Employment and wealth are positively correlated with better birth outcomes, underscoring the importance of financial stability. Environmental factors such as urban residence, access to improved water sources, and sanitation facilities also play crucial roles in determining birth weight. The study compares frequentist logistic regression and Bayesian structured additive logistic regression models to identify and predict LBW risk factors, highlighting regional disparities within Nigeria. The findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions addressing socio-demographic, socio-economic, and environmental determinants to reduce the prevalence of LBW and improve maternal and child health outcomes. Enhanced understanding of these factors through advanced statistical modeling can inform policy and health interventions, ultimately contributing to achieving global health targets and improving neonatal health in Nigeria.
Published in | American Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences (Volume 5, Issue 3) |
DOI | 10.11648/j.ajnhs.20240503.15 |
Page(s) | 77-87 |
Creative Commons |
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited. |
Copyright |
Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group |
Low Birth Weight (LBW), Neonatal Health, Socio-Economic Determinants, Maternal Education, Environmental Factors
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APA Style
Avwerhota, O. O., Avwerhota, M., Daniel, E. O., Popoola, T. A., Popoola, I. O., et al. (2024). Determinants of Risk Factors Associated with Low Birth Weight in Nigeria. American Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences, 5(3), 77-87. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajnhs.20240503.15
ACS Style
Avwerhota, O. O.; Avwerhota, M.; Daniel, E. O.; Popoola, T. A.; Popoola, I. O., et al. Determinants of Risk Factors Associated with Low Birth Weight in Nigeria. Am. J. Nurs. Health Sci. 2024, 5(3), 77-87. doi: 10.11648/j.ajnhs.20240503.15
@article{10.11648/j.ajnhs.20240503.15, author = {Oladayo Olarinre Avwerhota and Michael Avwerhota and Ebenezer Obi Daniel and Taiwo Aderemi Popoola and Israel Olukayode Popoola and Adebanke Adetutu Ogun and Ahmed Mamuda Bello and Michael Olabode Tomori and Aisha Oluwakemi Salami and Celestine Emeka Ekwuluo and Olukayode Oladeji Alewi and Aremu Bukola Janet}, title = {Determinants of Risk Factors Associated with Low Birth Weight in Nigeria }, journal = {American Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences}, volume = {5}, number = {3}, pages = {77-87}, doi = {10.11648/j.ajnhs.20240503.15}, url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajnhs.20240503.15}, eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajnhs.20240503.15}, abstract = {Low birth weight (LBW) remains a significant public health challenge with profound implications for neonatal and child health, particularly in low-income countries. Defined by the World Health Organization as a birth weight of less than 2.5 kilograms, LBW contributes to increased neonatal mortality and long-term developmental issues. This study examines the prevalence and determinants of LBW in Nigeria, leveraging data from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS). The study employs a cross-sectional design and a stratified two-stage sampling technique, analyzing 7,728 recorded birth weights. Key findings indicate that maternal age, education, and socio-economic status significantly influence birth weight. Optimal reproductive ages (25-34 years) and higher educational attainment are associated with healthier birth weights, whereas younger (below 20 years) and older mothers (above 40 years), and those with lower education levels, face higher LBW risks. Employment and wealth are positively correlated with better birth outcomes, underscoring the importance of financial stability. Environmental factors such as urban residence, access to improved water sources, and sanitation facilities also play crucial roles in determining birth weight. The study compares frequentist logistic regression and Bayesian structured additive logistic regression models to identify and predict LBW risk factors, highlighting regional disparities within Nigeria. The findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions addressing socio-demographic, socio-economic, and environmental determinants to reduce the prevalence of LBW and improve maternal and child health outcomes. Enhanced understanding of these factors through advanced statistical modeling can inform policy and health interventions, ultimately contributing to achieving global health targets and improving neonatal health in Nigeria. }, year = {2024} }
TY - JOUR T1 - Determinants of Risk Factors Associated with Low Birth Weight in Nigeria AU - Oladayo Olarinre Avwerhota AU - Michael Avwerhota AU - Ebenezer Obi Daniel AU - Taiwo Aderemi Popoola AU - Israel Olukayode Popoola AU - Adebanke Adetutu Ogun AU - Ahmed Mamuda Bello AU - Michael Olabode Tomori AU - Aisha Oluwakemi Salami AU - Celestine Emeka Ekwuluo AU - Olukayode Oladeji Alewi AU - Aremu Bukola Janet Y1 - 2024/08/30 PY - 2024 N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajnhs.20240503.15 DO - 10.11648/j.ajnhs.20240503.15 T2 - American Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences JF - American Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences JO - American Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences SP - 77 EP - 87 PB - Science Publishing Group SN - 2994-7227 UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajnhs.20240503.15 AB - Low birth weight (LBW) remains a significant public health challenge with profound implications for neonatal and child health, particularly in low-income countries. Defined by the World Health Organization as a birth weight of less than 2.5 kilograms, LBW contributes to increased neonatal mortality and long-term developmental issues. This study examines the prevalence and determinants of LBW in Nigeria, leveraging data from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS). The study employs a cross-sectional design and a stratified two-stage sampling technique, analyzing 7,728 recorded birth weights. Key findings indicate that maternal age, education, and socio-economic status significantly influence birth weight. Optimal reproductive ages (25-34 years) and higher educational attainment are associated with healthier birth weights, whereas younger (below 20 years) and older mothers (above 40 years), and those with lower education levels, face higher LBW risks. Employment and wealth are positively correlated with better birth outcomes, underscoring the importance of financial stability. Environmental factors such as urban residence, access to improved water sources, and sanitation facilities also play crucial roles in determining birth weight. The study compares frequentist logistic regression and Bayesian structured additive logistic regression models to identify and predict LBW risk factors, highlighting regional disparities within Nigeria. The findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions addressing socio-demographic, socio-economic, and environmental determinants to reduce the prevalence of LBW and improve maternal and child health outcomes. Enhanced understanding of these factors through advanced statistical modeling can inform policy and health interventions, ultimately contributing to achieving global health targets and improving neonatal health in Nigeria. VL - 5 IS - 3 ER -