Abstract:
Optimal birth interval is incontrovertibly linked to better health outcomes for both mothers and
babies. The main objective of this study was to identify factors associated with preceding birth
intervals among Reproductive age women in Ethiopia. This study is secondary analysis of the
Ethiopian Demographic and Survey (mini EDHS 2019).A total of 4473 reproductive-age women
were included in the analysis. Cases were women with short birth interval (less 24 months),
women with long birth interval (24-59 months) and controls were women with optimum birth
interval (above 60 months). Multilevel multinomial logistic regression models with 95%
confidence interval at p<0.05 is used to declare significantly associated predictors of preceding
birth intervals. out of 4473 total reproductive age women included in this study, majority of
women about 48.74% were have short Birth Spacing) While about 36.22% and 15.05% were
have optimal and Long Birth Spacing respectively. The effect of Wealth status and place of
residence on preceding birth interval varied across regions whereas the effect of other variables
remained fixed across regions. In the multilevel mixed-effect analysis age 25-34 (OR=0.627, at
95% CI: 0.518, 0.759), age 35-49 (OR=0.535, at 95% CI: 0.433, 0.678), contraceptive use
(OR=0.802, at 95% CI: 0.678, 0.941) were found to be significant predictors of short birth
intervals. And also age 25-34 (OR=2.767, at 95% CI: 0.552, 4.305), age 35-49 (OR=5.230, at
95% CI: 3.312, 8.247) and protestant religion follower (OR=0.623, at 95% CI: 0.446, 0.871)
and Muslim religion follower (OR=0.504, at 95% CI; 0.372, 0.683) were found to be significant
predictors of long birth interval. Overall, preceding birth interval was significantly associated
across the regions of Ethiopia. Age of respondent, contraceptive use, religion, place of delivery,
place of residence and wealth status were found to be significantly associated with preceding
birth interval, and also Religion were found to be significantly associated with long birth
interval.
