Abstract:
Background: Short birth interval is a universal public health problem resulting in adverse fetal,
neonatal, child, and maternal outcomes. However, women still have shorter birth intervals, and
studies addressing their determinants are scarce.
Objective: The objective of the current study was to identify determinants of short birth intervals
among mothers who gave birth at public hospitals, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2023.
Methods: A health facility-based case-control study design was used. The study was conducted
from January 30/2023 to February 30/2023, in public hospital of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A total
of 348 mothers (116 cases and 232 controls) who delivered in public hospitals of Addis Ababa
were selected by using simple random sampling techniques. Data were collected by means of
structured interviewer administered and pretested questionnaires. The data were entered, coded
and analyzed using EPI Data version 4.6.06 and statistical package for social sciences (SPSS)
version 25. Descriptive statistics were performed using standard statistical parameters:
percentage, means and standard deviation. To identify the factors associated with short birth
interval bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. Variables with
p-values < 0.25 during the bivariable binary logistic regression analysis were included in the
multivariable binary logistic regression analysis to see the effect of confounding factors. Odds
ratio with 95% confidence intervals and statistical significance at P < 0.05 were considered.
Result: From 348 sample 100% of the participants were involved in the study to identify
determinants of short birth intervals; having no formal education of husband (AOR= 2.979,95%
CI:1.008-8.806), breast feeding period for the preceding child less than 12 months
(AOR=3.438,95% CI:1.432-8.249),those mothers don’t use contraceptive after preceding birth
(AOR=1.928,95% CI:1.156-3.216) and those mothers had poor knowledge on short birth interval
(AOR=3.359,95% CI:2.015-5.602) were associated of short birth interval.
Conclusion and Recommendation: Contraceptive use, duration of breast feeding, and correct
understanding of the duration of birth interval were significant determinants of short birth
interval. Fortunately, all these significant factors are likely modifiable. Thus, intervention should
be done to enhanced optimizing birth interval through proper designation and implementation of
different strategies on safe breastfeeding practice, modern contraceptive use and maternal
awareness about the health merits of optimum birth interval.
