Geographical Distribution and Risk Factors of Low Birth Weight in Nigeria

BACKGROUND Low birth weight (LBW) directly or indirectly accounts for 60% to 80% of all neonatal deaths globally, and it has become an issue of serious health concern with Nigeria with one of the highest infant mortality rates (74/1,000) in the world. Despite the severe health impact, little is understood on the geographical differences in maternal socioeconomic and environmental factors that affect LBW across the states in Nigeria. METHOD Using the spatial epidemiological approach, this study examined the geographical variations in LBW and associated risk factors in Nigeria with the aid of spatial statistics. RESULTS There was a regional LBW corridor in the extreme north with Yobe state with the highest prevalence rate. Maternal educational attainment and acute maternal malnutrition explained 65.4% (ordinary least squares model) and 70.5% (spatial error model, SEM) of the variation in the geographical pattern of LBW. CONCLUSION LBW remains an issue of serious health concern in Nigeria. The finding of this study would shed more light on the spatial epidemiology of LBW in Nigeria and also guide public health programs in curtailing the high prevalence rate of LBW. RECOMMENDATIONS The study recommends health education on nutrition in pregnancy and the need to improve health literacy among women so as to check the high LBW prevalence.