Abstract:
Background: Tanzania is among countries with a high fertility rate of 5.2. For the past decade, there has been a rising trend of women with short inter-pregnancy interval (16% to 19%). Short inter-pregnancy interval is associated with poor maternal and neonatal outcomes. The objective of this study was to determine the magnitude and factors associated with short inter-pregnancy interval will help improve maternal and neonatal health.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Mnazi Mmoja hospital, Dar es salaam among women receiving ante-natal care. Data was collected from 3rd September to 1st October 2018. Information on inter-pregnancy interval, social demographic, obstetric and individual factors were collected. Data were analyzed using SPSS, statistical software version 23. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression were done to identify factors associated with short inter-pregnancy interval with a p-value <0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results: A total of 524women attending ante-natal clinic were recruited for the study. The mean age of women studied was 29.80(±4.94), withover half of the women being para 1.Twenty-two percent of the women had short inter-pregnancy interval. Short inter-pregnancy interval was significantly associated with young maternal age (AOR=2.67, 95% CI=1.23 - 5.79); non-use of contraceptive method (AOR=2.05, 95% CI=1.22 - 3.45); breastfeeding for less than 6 months (AOR=3.45,95% CI=1.17 – 10.13) and having an antecedent dead child at time of index conception (AOR=3.38,95% CI=1.15 – 9.93).
Conclusion: Short inter-pregnancy interval is still a problem in our community. Shorter periods of breastfeeding was strongly associated with increased likelihood for having short inter-pregnancy interval.
