Spatial Distribution And Determinant Factors Of Birth Interval Among Reproductive Age Group Women, Based On Edhs 2016, Ethiopia, 2019.

Abstract Birth interval is time between two successive live births. Ethiopia is one of the populated African countries with total fertility rate of 4.6 and annual population growth rate of 2.6.Short birth intervals (<24 months) contribute to infant and child mortality risks. Currently, in Ethiopia women still have shorter birth intervals and studies addressing its determinants and maps to show the varied spatial distribution are scarce. This study examined individual and community level factors associated with duration of birth interval. Method: Data from the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey undertaken in 2016 was used for this analysis. Data was analyzed using STATA version 14, Arc Map GIS 10.3 and SaTScan. Multilevel Binary Logistic regression models were also used to explain regional inequalities in duration of birth intervals among women of reproductive age. Result: The median birth interval of the study population was 32 months (2.67 years). The result of this study reveals that 1935(25%) of women have intervals shorter than 24 months. Duration of birth interval was associated with index child died, women from highest economic level, women who breastfeed and women aged 45-49. Duration of birth interval had spatial variation across the country. A high proportion of shorter duration of birth interval was identified in Somalia and Affar Regions. Whereas the lower proportion of short birth interval found in Amhara, Tigray and Gambela. Conclusion: In this study both the individual and community level Factors were found to have significant influence on preceding birth interval of children. The spatial effect of duration of birth was captured by the spatial analysis. Additionally dissemination of information about recommended interval and cooperative effort to improve women’s economic independency and decision making power to increase maternal social status has to be conducted.