Short Birth Interval Practice and Associated Factors among Multiparous Women in Meta Robi District, West Showa, Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

Back ground: Short term birth interval is a pressing public health concern that has a significant implication for population growth, maternal and child health wellbeing. However, women still have shorter birth intervals and studies addressing their factors contributing to short birth intervals are not well addressed. Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of short birth interval practice and associated factors among multiparous women in Meta Robi district, West Showa, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2024 Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 417 multiparous women. A simple random sampling technique was used to select study participants. A pre-tested structured questionnaire using face-to face-interview technique was used for data collection. Descriptive statistics were used to explore the data in relation to the variables. A binary-logistic regression analysis was performed. Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was computed to identify factor associated with short birth interval. Results: The prevalence of short birth interval in this study was 55.6 % with 95% CI (51.7- 59.4).Mothers, and husbands with non-formal education [AOR=2.914(95% CI:1.322,3.226)],and [AOR=3.413(95% CI:1.918,5.625)],respectively, residence (rural) [AOR=2.142(95% CI:2.031, 4.302)],get married before age 18 years [AOR= 1.901( 95% CI:1.463,2.912)], singleton birth of the index child [AOR=2.942( 95% CI:1.871, 4.523)], breast feeding for less than 24 months [AOR=4.021 ( 95% CI:1.423, 5.735)],and not-using modern contraceptive method [AOR=1.789 (95%CI:1.223, 3.152)] were significantly associated with short birth intervals. Conclusions and Recommendations: The study revealed that the prevalence of short birth interval practice among multipara women is found to be high. Non-formal education of mother and husband, residence, married before 18 years, singleton birth of index child, breast feeding for less than 24 months, and not-using modern contraceptive method were significantly associated with short birth intervals. Thus, the existing efforts to optimize birth intervals should be enhanced through the 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.