Factors Affecting the Birth Spacing among Rural Pregnant Women in Salin Township, Myanmar

Abstract

Maternal and child mortality remains a major health problem in Myanmar, especially in rural area. An adequate birth interval is considered as a positive factor in mothers and their children’s health, and improves the chances of mother and their children survival. This study aimed to determine the factors affecting the birth spacing among rural pregnant women in Salin Township, Myanmar. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 425 pregnant women who had at least one child, came to the rural health center in Salin Township, Magway Region, Myanmar in 2012. Data was collected by using semi-structured questionnaire. The descriptive statistics was used to explain birth spacing interval, and other factors. The chi-square and multiple logistic regressions were used to determine the association between birth spacing interval and independent factors. Only 34.8 percent of respondents had good birth spacing (≥24months). Most of respondents (78.4%) were in the age group between 20-35 years. The results from multiple logistic regression show that age at marriage of the respondents (p-value = 0.021), knowledge of the birth spacing (p-value = 0.003) and getting information from the midwives (p-value = 0.025) showed a statistically significant with the birth spacing interval. Therefore, reproductive health promotion programs focusing on the birth spacing should be expanded up to the rural communities and the encouragement and motivation should be done to the midwives.