DETERMINANTS OF SHORT BIRTH INTERVAL AMONG MOTHERS WHO GAVE BIRTH AT LAY GAINT DISTRICT, SOUTH GONDAR ZONE, NORTHWEST, ETHIOPIA.

Abstract

Background: Short birth interval is a time when the duration of the two consecutive live births is less than 33 months. Short birth interval hurts maternal, prenatal, neonatal, and child outcomes. Women in a developing world that has many children in quick succession place themselves and their children at risk for different health problems. Therefore, understanding the determinants of short birth interval helpful to design evidence-based strategies for intervention. Objective: To identify determinants of short birth interval among mothers who gave birth in Lay Gaint District, South Gondar Zone, Northwest, Ethiopia, 2021. Methods: A community-based unmatched case-control study was conducted from March 29/2021 to April 30/2021. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select 429 Results: Multiple factors such as age at first delivery 25-34 years before preceding child Conclusion and recommendation: Number of factors including the age of the mother at first birth, having a preceding female child, having an abortion, and stillbirth, no antenatal care follow up, poorest and poor wealth quantile were determinants that elevate the odds of short birth interval. Thus, promote antenatal follow up, giving special emphasis to mothers with low socioeconomic statuses will have a positive impact in bringing behavioral and attitude change that further reduces short birth intervals. Keywords: Short birth interval; mothers gave birth; determinants; Gaint; Ethiopia.