Investigating the direct and indirect associations between birth intervals and child growth and development: A cross-sectional analysis of 13 Demographic and Health Surveys

Bliznashka, Lilia; Jeong, Joshua

doi:10.1016/j.ssmph.2022.101168

Cited by 3 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 30 publications

(46 reference statements)

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“…Other conditions related to pregnancy that influence child growth and development are prematurity 21 , small size at birth, multiple births 22 , 23 and shorter birth intervals. 20 , 24 A single study found gestational factors that protected adequate linear growth were satisfactory birth weight and weight gain. 25 …”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determining factors of child linear growth from the viewpoint of Bronfenbrenner's Bioecological Theory

Veiga¹,

Silva²,

Padilha³

et al. 2023

Jornal de Pediatria

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determining factors of child linear growth from the viewpoint of Bronfenbrenner's Bioecological Theory

Veiga¹,

Silva²,

Padilha³

et al. 2023

Jornal de Pediatria

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“…In Africa, including Ethiopia, many women still experience untimely and closely spaced pregnancies, despite the availability of family planning services. This situation exposes them to a higher risk of health issues and even death during pregnancy and childbirth (14,16,17). Efforts by the government and other stakeholders have not fully addressed this concern, as suboptimal or short birth intervals continue to occur (18)(19)(20).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determinants of Suboptimal Birth Spacing among Reproductive-Age Women in Adama District, Ethiopia: A Community-Based Unmatched Case-Control Study

Belachwe,

Komicha,

Girsha

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Background Birth spacing is crucial for ensuring the health of mothers and their children, as well as determining population growth. Short birth intervals represent a universal public health problem associated with adverse maternal, fetal, neonatal, and child outcomes. However, there is limited information in the study area regarding the determinants of suboptimal birth spacing. Thus, this study aimed to identify the determinants of suboptimal spacing among women of reproductive age in the Adama district, Ethiopia. Methods A community-based unmatched case-control study was conducted among 568 randomly selected reproductive-age women using the multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered, structured questionnaire. The collected data were entered into Epi Info version 7.2 and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to model the association between suboptimal birth spacing practices and independent variables. Adjusted odds ratios with their 95% confidence intervals were calculated to determine the strength of the association. A p-value < 0.05 was considered to declare statistical significance. Result Educational status (no formal education) (AOR = 2.40; 95% CI: 1.23–1.75), Inadequate knowledge of optimal birth space (AOR = 2.60; 95% CI; 1.80–3.90), non-use of modern contraceptives (AOR = 3.00; CI: 1.90–4.20), short breastfeeding duration (AOR = 2.30; 95% CI: 1.50–3.40), and having female index child (AOR = 1.60; 95% CI: 1.13–2.50) were independent determinants of suboptimal birth spacing practice. Conclusion Having no formal education, Inadequate knowledge of optimal birth space, non-use of modern contraceptives, having short breastfeeding duration, and having a female index child were determinants of suboptimal birth spacing. Encouraging women's education, contraceptive use, and breastfeeding is crucial for birth spacing. Cultural awareness and parental understanding are key to preventing sex-based birth intervals.

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“…Studies based on single-country data revealed that 23%, 26%, 47%, 49%, and 50% of reproductive-age women in Pakistan [ 12 ], Bangladesh [ 13 ], Ethiopia [ 14 ], Ghana [ 15 ], and rural India [ 16 ] respectively had experienced shorter birth interval. Furthermore, a secondary analysis of demographic and health survey (DHS) data showed that the prevalence of suboptimal birth spacing was 59% in ten high-fertility African countries [ 17 ] and 56% in thirteen Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries [ 18 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, despite the availability of exempted family planning services, a significant proportion of women in African countries continue to experience inadequately timed and spaced pregnancies [ 17 , 18 , 23 ] that puts them at a greater risk of morbidities and mortality related with pregnancy and childbirth. Therefore, information on the magnitude of suboptimal birth spacing and contextual factors influencing this maternal fertility behavior in these settings is important for redesigning the existing interventions and policy revision.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, information on the magnitude of suboptimal birth spacing and contextual factors influencing this maternal fertility behavior in these settings is important for redesigning the existing interventions and policy revision. To the authors’ knowledge, evidence of suboptimal birth intervals at the SSA level is lacking and previous studies have been limited to specific country or geographic area [ 14 , 15 , 24 – 26 ] and others have included only few African countries [ 17 , 18 , 23 ]. Thus, this analysis aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of suboptimal birth spacing and its predictors among childbearing women in SSA using the most recent DHS data from 35 countries.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Suboptimal birth spacing practice and its predictors among reproductive-age women in Sub-Saharan African countries: a multilevel mixed-effects modeling with robust Poisson regression

Mare,

Sabo,

Mohammed

et al. 2023

Reprod Health

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Background Despite the availability of exempted family planning services, a significant proportion of women in African countries continue to experience inadequately spaced pregnancies. To the authors’ knowledge, evidence of suboptimal birth intervals at the SSA level is lacking and previous studies have been limited to specific geographic area. Therefore, this analysis was aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of suboptimal birth spacing and its predictors among childbearing women in SSA. Methods Pooled DHS data from 35 SSA countries were used and a weighted sample of 221,098 reproductive-age women was considered in the analysis. The survey across all countries employed a cross-sectional study design and collected data on basic sociodemographic characteristics and different health indicators. Forest plot was used to present the overall and country-level prevalence of suboptimal birth spacing. Multilevel mixed-effects models with robust Poisson regression were fitted to identify the predictors of suboptimal birth spacing. Akaike’s and Bayesian information criteria and deviance were used to compare the models. In a multivariable regression model, a p-value less than 0.05 and an adjusted prevalence ratio with the corresponding 95% CI were used to assess the statistical significance of the explanatory variables. Results The pooled prevalence of suboptimal birth spacing among women in SSA was 43.91% (43.71%-44.11%), with South Africa having the lowest prevalence (23.25%) and Chad having the highest (59.28%). It was also found that 14 of the 35 countries had a prevalence above the average for SSA. Rural residence [APR (95% CI) = 1.10 (1.12–1.15)], non-exposure to media [APR (95% CI) = 1.08 (1.07–1.11)], younger maternal age [APR (95% CI) = 2.05 (2.01–2.09)], non-use of contraception [APR (95% CI) = 1.18 (1.16–1.20)], unmet need for family planning [APR (95% CI) = 1.04 (1.03–1.06)], higher birth order [APR (95% CI) = 1.31 (1.28–1.34)], and desire to have at least six children [APR (95% CI) = 1.14 (1.13–1.16)] were the predictors of suboptimal birth spacing practice. Conclusion More than four out of ten reproductive-age women in SSA countries gave birth to a subsequent child earlier than the recommended birth spacing, with considerable variations across the countries. Thus, interventions designed at enhancing optimal birth spacing should pay particular attention to young and socioeconomically disadvantaged women and those residing in rural regions. Strengthening community health programs and improving accessibility and availabilities of fertility control methods that ultimately impacts optimal reproductive behaviors is crucial to address contraceptive utilization and unmet need.

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Investigating the direct and indirect associations between birth intervals and child growth and development: A cross-sectional analysis of 13 Demographic and Health Surveys

Cited by 3 publications

References 30 publications

Determining factors of child linear growth from the viewpoint of Bronfenbrenner's Bioecological Theory

Determining factors of child linear growth from the viewpoint of Bronfenbrenner's Bioecological Theory

Determinants of Suboptimal Birth Spacing among Reproductive-Age Women in Adama District, Ethiopia: A Community-Based Unmatched Case-Control Study

Suboptimal birth spacing practice and its predictors among reproductive-age women in Sub-Saharan African countries: a multilevel mixed-effects modeling with robust Poisson regression

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