Abstract:
Background: inter-pregnancy interval (IPI) is the time elapsed between the birth of one live child and the conception of subsequent pregnancies. Short inter-pregnancy intervals occur when there is less than a 24-month gap between the conception of the current pregnancy and the birth of the previous kid. It has effect on maternal and perinatal outcomes. Researches in Ethiopia suggested a high prevalence of a short inter-birth interval - a proxy indicator of IPI. However, these studies were subject to selection bias since they excluded women who did not go on to have another pregnancy.
Objective: To assess the magnitude of short inter pregnancy interval and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Toke Kutaye district, Ethiopia 2023.
Methods: Institution-based cross-sectional study design was conducted in Toke Kutaye district from December 15, 2022-Jaunary15, 2023. Systematic sampling technique was used to select 422 study participants. Structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data from study participants. Data were entered into Epi-data 4.6, and analyzed by SPSS version 25 software. Descriptive Statistics was used to show the magnitude of short inter pregnancy interval. A Bi-variable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was employed. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) was used identify variable that are significantly associated with short inter pregnancy interval at 95% CI and P-value <0.05.
Results: This study found that the overall magnitude of a short inter-pregnancy interval was 180(43.5%), (CI=38.9 -48.3%). Being rural residence (AOR=3.225, 95% CI=1.029-10.102), no formal education (AOR=7.32, 95%CI=1.891-28.33), having lower parity (AOR= 2.24, 95%CI=1.099-36.40), having irregular menstrual cycle pattern (AOR=8.63, [95%CI 3.455 -10.427) non utilization of contraceptives (AOR= 6.553, 95%CI=3.839-34.77) and not attending post natal care (PNC) visits (AOR = 2.055, 95% CI= 2.021-14.83) were the risk factors for short IPI. However, being delivered at a health facility (AOR=0.134, 95%CI=0.018-0.967) were the protective factors for short IPI.
Conclusion: In the study settings, the magnitude of the inter-pregnancy interval was high Place of residence, Maternal educational level, parity, non-utilization of contraceptive, PNC visit and institutional delivery were factors associated with short inter-pregnancy intervals. So the Woreda Health office, Health professionals, family planning programmers and Educational office should work in collaboration to reduce the magnitude of short IPI, by improving health service utilizations such as PNC and facility delivery and increasing female education may play an important role
