Prevalence and Associated Factors of Low Birth Weight in Bangladesh

Birth weight (BW) has a long term impact on future health of a child. However, low birth weight (LBW) is a great public health concern in the world and it is an indicator of childhood mortality and morbidity especially in developing countries. The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with LBW among Bangladeshi children. In this study secondary data were used, it was extracted from Bangladesh Health and Demographic Survey (BDHS), 2014. The data consisted of 4,494 married and currently non-pregnant Bangladeshi mothers who had at least one under five children living with their mothers considered sample in this study. Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression was used to find the associated factors of LBW of children. A total number of under-five children 4,494 were studied in the present study, and the study revealed that the overall prevalence of LBW among children in Bangladesh was 19.40%.The prevalence of LBW was found higher in rural area, among poor wealth quantile and in female child. Prevalence of LBW of children was the highest in Sylhet division and the lowest in Rajshahi division. Mothers, who were uneducated, undernourished, had no antenatal visit and used unhygienic toilet had greater chance to get LBW child. LBW is related to child mortality; however, factors of LBW were mostly modifiable. In order to reduce child mortality and to achieve SDGs by 2030, government should control the high prevalence of LBW in Bangladesh. Our findings would be useful for the health authorities of 122 International Journal of Statistical Sciences, Vol. 15s, 2016 Bangladesh for improving their health policy to lessen LBW children in Bangladesh.