Retrospective Assessment of Low Birth Weight in Nigeria Using Life Table

Abstract

This study focuses on low-birth-weight (LBW) in Nigeria. The main objective is to obtain the life table probability of a mother giving birth to a low-birth-weight child, which may be relevant in assessing the progress of Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria. The descriptive statistics and method of life table analysis were applied to the dataset on birth weights from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Surveys (NDHS), 1990 to 2013. The result shows that on average, there are approximately 13 LBWs per 1000 live births among mothers aged 25 to 29, which is the highest while the rates declined rapidly in the older ages. The prevalence rate of LBW obtained for the period is slightly below 8.0% (7.9). The incidence rate increased from 7.0% in 1990 NDHS to 10.2% in 2003 NDHS and declined to 7.3% in 2013 NDHS. The consequences of low-birth-weight among women of childbearing age are increasing neonatal and infant mortality rates, which may hinder the achievement of SDGs in Nigeria. We recommend that the government should encourage mothers to deliver their babies in the approved health care facilities to ensure weight measurement at birth.