DURATION AND SOME DETERMINANTS OF INTERBIRTH INTERVALS IN A SAMPLE OF WOMEN FROM BAGHDAD/ IRAQ

Background:Understanding the practice of birth spacing and factors which influence women’s interbirth interval (IBI) is critical for countries like Iraq with high fertility levels.
Objectives:This study aimed at measuring the duration of the interval between births and determining some of the factors favored optimal spacing intervals of Iraqi women.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among ever married and having at least 2 live births 472 women during March 2008 in Al-Kadhimyia Teaching hospital. Data were obtained by interview questionnaire, included birth intervals, demographics, and fertility variables. Actual birth interval was measured and data were analyzed using a logistic regression model.
Results:The mean birth interval was 31.16 ± 21.56 ranged 9–228 months, and 65.6% of interbirth intervals were of less than 36 months. The multivariate regression revealed that older woman, a woman’s husband higher education and having male children were the significant predictors of longer interbirth interval.
Conclusions:Relatively short interbirth interval found in the present study may help national health program conveying the message of optimum birth interval, with expanding education and employment opportunities for women can act as a motive for child spacing.
Key words:Pregnancy spacing interval, contributing factors, Iraqi women.