Determinants of different birth intervals of ever married women: Evidence from Bangladesh

Abstract

IntroductionThe analysis of factors affecting birth interval helps to reveal the mechanism and dynamics of fertility behavior which changes the population structure of a country.This study aims to examine the association among different socioeconomic and demographic factors with birth intervals and to identify the statistically significant factors of birth intervals. Material and methodsThis study has been used latest Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2014 data based on two stage stratified sample of households. Different birth intervals have been analyzed using various statistical techniques such as Kaplan Meier estimator, log rank test, Cox proportional hazard model and Frailty model. ResultsAmong the ever married women, 92.40%, 76.80% and 61.60% have experienced live birth for first, second and third times, and the estimated median duration of birth intervals are 26, 46, and 58 months, respectively. Using the log rank test, this study found that region, place of residence, mothers education, partners education, contraceptive use, and mothers age are significantly associated with birth intervals. This study also considered mothers age and working status at first birth interval; mothers education, age, working status and survival status of previous child at second birth interval; mothers education, sex of household head, working status, mass media exposure, age, contraceptive use, religion, and survival status of previous child at third birth interval are protective factors in next births. ConclusionsOverall, mothers age, working status and mass media exposure are protective factors in birth intervals. To fulfill the target, government should pay attention to significant protective factors.