Factors Associated With Low Birth Weight in Cambodia: A Secondary Analysis of the Cambodia Demographic and Health Survey, 2021-2022.

AIMS: We examined the prevalence of low birth weight (LBW) across provinces and factors associated with LBW among newborns in Cambodia.

METHODS

We analyzed the most recent children's data from the 2021-2022 Cambodia Demographic and Health Survey (CDHS). A total of 4565 weighted newborns were included in the study. Provincial variation in the prevalence of LBW was visualized using ArcGIS. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with LBW.

RESULTS

The prevalence of LBW was 5.9% (95% CI: 5.2-6.8), with the highest rates observed in Ratanak Kiri (13.9%), Kratie (12.8%), Pailin (12.7%), and Svay Rieng (10.2%). After adjusting for confounders, significant factors associated with higher odds of LBW included maternal unemployment (AOR = 1.62; 95% CI: 1.03-2.56), being a first-born child (AOR = 1.73; 95% CI: 1.26-2.38), and rural area (AOR = 1.41; 95% CI: 1.00-2.01). Attending four or more antenatal care (ANC) visits was protective against LBW (AOR = 0.65; 95% CI: 0.47-0.91). Maternal age and household wealth were not independently associated with LBW in the adjusted model.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of LBW among newborns in Cambodia is lower than in Southeast Asia and worldwide. However, significant provincial variations in LBW prevalence exist, particularly in remote areas. Maternal employment, firstborn status, rural residence, and ANC utilization are key determinants of LBW. Public health programs should prioritize provinces with persistently high rates of LBW prevalence and improve ANC coverage, especially for first-time mothers in rural areas, to further reduce LBW and improve neonatal outcomes.