Regional Variation and Factors Associated With Fetal Macrosomia in Ethiopia

Abstract Background: Globally, there is an increase in the prevalence of high birth weight. In Sub-Sahara African countries, including Ethiopia, weighting newborns at birth are not well addressed thereby awareness of high birth weight is limited. In this paper, we aimed to assess the between-region variability of the prevalence and identify the associated factors with high birth weight in Ethiopia.Methods: The study is based on the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey which is conducted in 2016. A total of 2110 newborns across all regions of Ethiopia are included in the study. The multilevel logistic regression model is applied to identify the associated factors of high birth weight and to evaluate the variation of the prevalence of high birth weight across the regions of Ethiopia. Results: The prevalence of high birth weight in Ethiopia was 10.4%. Based on our analysis, mother's age, residence, mother’s educational level, mother's body mass index gestational age, socio-economic class, and the sex of the newborn baby were the significant factors associated with high birth weight. With inter-class correlation of 14%, there is a significant variation of high birth weight among the regions of Ethiopia.Conclusion: Controlling mother’s BMI, strengthening follow up for elder women and women in high socio-economic class, and prevention of post maturity (≥40 weeks) gestational age could be effective personal and public health measures to combat high birth weight in Ethiopia.