(P27-078-25) Bad Start: Unavailing Factors Contributing to Low Birth Weight in Western Kenya

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine factors associated to giving children a bad start in life, thereby resulting in low birth weight and also compare factors associated with low birth weight for mothers residing in parts of western Kenya.

Methods: The study used cross-sectional design utilizing health records from Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Western Kenya. A total of 1910 were accessed and 1118 were files were used in the analysis. Logistic regression was done to determine predicting factors associated with Low Birth Weight. Geospatial analysis was done to show distribution of low birth weight.

Results: Of all their mothers, 76% were unemployed, 75%, had a normal delivery even though 93% had complications during delivery. A total of 97% knew their HIV status and 55% had low HB levels. The prevalence of low birth weight was 15 %. The factors associated with higher odds of low birth weight included mothers’; gestational period (p≤0.001), parity (p=0.017), membrane raptured prematurely (p≤0.001), and Low HB levels P=0.006). Higher odds of being Low birth weight was associated with multiple births, was in New-Born Unit, had birth deformities and if born with the following complications Intrauterine Growth Retardation, and Asphyxia all at p value less than 0.001.

Conclusions: Low birth is associated with among other factors, multiple births, child in NBU, birth deformities, asphyxia, infant breastfeeding difficulties

Funding Sources: Self