LINEAR GROWTH FAILURE AT BIRTH AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG NEWBORNS DELIVERED AT PUBLIC HOSPITALS OF WEST HARERGHE ZONE, OROMIA REGION, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Introduction: Growth failure at birth, shown by low birth weight and small size for gestational age, is a serious public health problem that increases the risk of newborn illness, death, and long term developmental issues. However, there have been few studies addressing this issue in the West Harerghe Zone, Oromia. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of growth failure at birth and to identify associated factors among newborns delivered at public hospitals in West Harerghe, Oromia, Ethiopia, from February 5 to March 30, 2025. Methods and Materials: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 387 neonates born at randomly selected public hospitals in West Harerghe Zone, Oromia region, from February 5 to March 30, 2025. Participants were selected using systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected using the KoBoTool mobile application and data analysis was performed using SPSS version 26. Descriptive statistics was employed to summarize the data, and multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with growth failure at birth, by estimating AOR with 95% confidence intervals (CI) calculated and statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The prevalence of growth failure at birth was 28.2 % (95% CI: 23.8, 33.1). Newborns from food-insecure households (AOR = 4.5; 95% CI: 1.7–11.7), mothers who had a mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) less than 23 cm (AOR = 3.2; 95% CI: 1.1–9.5), and maternal age 20 34 (AOR = 6.5; 95% CI: 2.3-18.8) were significant associated factors with growth failure at birth Conclusion and recommendation: More than one in four newborns in the study area experienced growth failure at birth, highlighting it as a significant public health issue. Maternal nutritional status and household food security were identified as key contributing factors. Therefore, targeted nutritional support for pregnant women and improved food security are essential to mitigate this problem.