The maternal anthropometry and hemoglobin status in relations to newborn birth weight among primiparous mothers at Adama Hospital Medical College, Eastern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Background Anthropometric measurements are quantitative measurements of the human body size, shape, and nutritional status. It is a simple, inexpensive, and non-invasive approach used to identify mothers at risk of labor outcomes. On the other hand, hematological disorders are common during pregnancy with deleterious health effects on the mother and the fetus, which consequently cause fetal growth retardation and low weight. Objectives To assess the relationship between maternal anthropometry and hemoglobin status with the newborn birth weight among primiparous mothers at Adama Hospital Medical College, Eastern Ethiopia 2021. Methods An institutional-based cross-sectional study design involving 269 primiparous pregnant mothers was conducted at Adama Hospital Medical College from September 15 to October 30, 2021. The consecutive sampling technique was used till the required sample size was attained. Interviewer-administered questionnaires, instruments for anthropometric measurement, hemoglobinometer, and electronic weighing scales were used to collect the data. The data was entered into EpiData version 3.1 and exported to SPSS software version 21 for analysis. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between the independent variables and the outcome variables. Results About 269 mothers and their neonates participated in this study. Multivariate logistic regression shows that maternal ANC visit less than two [AOR=4.149, 95% CI: (1.27, 13.52)], maternal height [AOR= 0.878, 95% CI: (0.806, 0.95)], and maternal Hgb <11g/dl [AOR=4.127, 95% CI: (1.63, 10.43)] were significantly associated with the occurrences of low birth weight (p<0.05). Conclusion This study has shown that maternal anthropometric characteristics and hemoglobin status were important factors associated birth weight. Health facilities should emphasize routine measurements of maternal anthropometry and hemoglobin during ANC visits in order to reduce complications related to labor outcomes.