Abstract:
Background: Ethiopia is the second most populous country in Africa next to Nigeria, with
population size of 77 million and total fertility of 5.4. The population is increasing at an annual
rate of about 2.7%. Fertility is an important component of population dynamics which plays a
major role in changing the size and structure of a given population. Reforms that encourage
longer intervals between consecutive births decrease the number of children each woman has
with subsequent beneficial effects on population size and on the health status of mother and
child. Birth interval also has significant effect on the child’s future physical and mental
capabilities. This study, therefore, provides empirical evidence for the local health planners.
Objective: The objective of this study is to assess duration and determinants of birth interval
among women of child bearing age in Lemo woreda, Hadiya zone, South nations, nationalities
and people’s regional state, Ethiopia.
Methods: The study was carried out in Lemo woreda among women of child bearing age from
March 9 to 16 2010. The study design employed was community based cross sectional study
design. The study population was sampled women of child bearing age with history of at least
two deliveries and at least the last delivery within the last five years. The sample size was 844
and calculated using single population proportion formulae. Census was conducted prior to the
data collection time and simple random sampling method was applied to identify the study
subjects. Structured interviewer administered questionnaire translated to Hadiyigna language
were used to gather the required information. The data were coded, entered and cleaned by using
SPSS version 16 and analyzed by using descriptive, bivariate and multivariate techniques.
Results: sixty % of the study subjects were knowledgeable based on the judgment criteria and
majority, 57%, of women are currently practicing short birth interval length with the median
birth interval length of 33 months. Birth interval showed significant variation by contraceptive
use, residence, wealth index, breast feeding and occupation of the husband.
Conclusion and recommendations: Relative to knowledge level, low proportion of optimal
birth spacing practices with short birth interval length was observed. Significantly longer preferred
birth interval lengths as compared to actual birth interval were evident among the study subjects.
Therefore, collaborative efforts have to be exerted by zonal health department, woreda health office
and health providers at different levels together with other relevant sectors to alleviate the situation.
