The effect of sex of last child on short birth interval practice: the case of northern Ethiopian pregnant women

OBJECTIVE: Improving short birth interval practice is a key strategy to reduce maternal mortality, neonatal mortality, adverse pregnancy outcomes, high fertility rate and undermining economic development efforts. However, there were limited evidences on short birth interval practice and its determinant factors in Ethiopia. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of short birth interval practice and associated factors among pregnant women. Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted among 418 pregnant mothers using stratified sampling technique. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed at the level of significance of P-value < 0.05. RESULT: Short birth interval practice was found to be 40.9%. Child death (AOR = 3.60, 95% CI 1.35, 9.59), female child (AOR = 2.03, 95% CI 1.12, 3.67), younger maternal age (AOR = 4.23, 95% CI 1.14, 12.66), contraceptive non-use (AOR = 8.15, 95% CI 4.17, 15.94), increase duration of breastfeeding (AOR = 4.72, 95 CI% 1.10, 20.60) and home delivery (AOR = 4.75, 95 CI% 2.30, 9.79) were found to be significantly associated with short birth interval practice. The prevalence of short birth interval practice is high. Multi disciplinary approach through improving maternal and child health care are recommended to prevent short birth interval practice.