Abstract
Optimal birth spacing has health advantages for both mother and child. In developing countries, shorter birth intervals are common and associated with social, cultural, and economic factors, as well as a lack of family planning. This study investigated the first birth interval after marriage and preceding interbirth interval in Nepal. A community-based prospective cohort study was conducted in the Kaski district of Nepal. Information on birth spacing, demographic, and obstetric characteristics was obtained from 701 pregnant women using a structured questionnaire. Logistic regression analyses were performed to ascertain factors associated with short birth spacing. About 39% of primiparous women gave their first child birth within 1 year of marriage and 23% of multiparous women had short preceding interbirth intervals (<24 months). The average birth spacing among the multiparous group was 44.9 (SD 21.8) months. Overall, short birth spacing appeared to be inversely associated with advancing maternal age. For the multiparous group, Janajati and lower caste women, and those whose newborn was female, were more likely to have short birth spacing. The preceding interbirth interval was relatively long in the Kaski district of Nepal and tended to be associated with maternal age, caste, and sex of newborn infant. Optimal birth spacing programs should target Janajati and lower caste women, along with promotion of gender equality in society.
Highlights
Birth spacing is an essential component of family planning and fertility control [1]
This study aimed to investigate the first birth interval after marriage and preceding interbirth interval and their characteristics for women living in central Nepal
The median time of preceding interbirth interval in this population (42 months) was greater than the average of Nepal (36.2 months) [10] and those reported in Ethiopia (31–33 months) [16] and Malaysia (26 months) [17]
Summary
Birth spacing is an essential component of family planning and fertility control [1]. Optimal spacing between successive births or pregnancies has health advantages for both mother and child. Either short (59 months) birth intervals can increase the risk of adverse perinatal and maternal outcomes [2]. Effective birth spacing is important for population control and for improving maternal and child health. Short birth intervals are prevalent and mostly unintended [7]. Optimal birth spacing has health advantages for both mother and child. Shorter birth intervals are common and associated with social, cultural, and economic factors, as well as a lack of family planning. This study investigated the first birth interval after marriage and preceding interbirth interval in Nepal
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