Prevalence of low birth weight and associated factors in Ethiopia: An umbrella review of systematic review and meta-analyses

Neway Ejigu, Negussie Sarbecha, Kenbon Seyoum, Degefa Gomora, Girma Geta, Chala Kene, Sheleme Mengistu, Derese Eshetu, Yaregal Admasu, Telila Mesfin, Daniel Atlaw and Girma Beressa

PLOS Global Public Health, 2025, vol. 5, issue 5, 1-15

Abstract: Low birth weight (LBW) is one of the major causes of neonatal mortality and morbidity in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite the goal of reducing newborn morbidity and mortality by 2030, low-income countries, including Ethiopia, still confront major challenges. Although various systematic reviews and meta-analyses (SRMA) have been conducted on LBW in Ethiopia, there is notable variation among their findings. This umbrella review aimed to consolidate inconsistent findings into a single summary estimate, providing a robust synthesis of evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses to bolster health policy development and planning in Ethiopia.Articles were retrieved on PubMed/Medline, Science Direct, Web of Science, HINARI, and Google Scholar. Assessments of Multiple Systematic Reviews checklist scores were used to assess the quality of the included SRMA studies. A random-effects model was used to estimate the overall effect size.A total of eleven SRMA studies (5 prevalence and 6 predictors) involving 190,492 neonates with an outcome of interest were included in the analysis. The summary estimate for the prevalence of LBW was 16% (95% CI: 13, 18%). Being prematurity [POR: 7.86; 95% CI: 5.79, 10.67], not attending antenatal care (ANC) [POR: 2.4, 95% CI: 1.49, 3.88], having pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) [POR: 4.2; 95% CI: 2.78, 6.36], being a rural resident [POR: 2.14, 95% CI: 1.56, 2.94], having a pregnancy interval

Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pgph00:0004556

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0004556

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