SHORT BIRTH INTERAL AND ITS ASSOCIATED FACTOR AMONG REPRODUCTIVE AGE MOTHER IN GEDIO ZONE SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA COMMUNITY BASED CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY 2019

ABSTRACT Back ground: Short birth interval, defined as the number of months less than thirty-six months between two consecutive live birth. It has a critical effect on the population size and the health status of the mothers and her child. Short birth intervals have been associated with adverse health outcomes, including infant, child and maternal mortality. Closely spaced births have a potentially devastating impact on both the individual and the society. Thus, understanding the level of short birth interval and factors influencing recommended birth interval is critical for countries like Ethiopia including study area. Objective: The main aim of this study was to assess prevalence and associated factors of short birth interval among reproductive age mothers in Gedeo Zone Southern Ethiopia in Dec, 2019. Method: A community based cross sectional study was conducted in Gedio zone SNNPR from January to April 2019. multi stage sampling technique was used to select 608 participants from eligible households. SRS technique was used to select study subjects. Data was collected using pre-tested structured interviewer administered questionnaire by health extension worker. Data was entered into Epi data version 3.5.4 and analyzed by using SPSS version 20 software, Bivariate analysis was performed at p-value < 0.25 of significance level to select candidate variable for multivariable analysis, and the finding was presented by using texts, tables and graphs. Result: A total of 608 reproductive mother age mothers who have at least two consecutive live births participated in this study with response rate of 100%. Prevalence of short birth interval in Gedio zone was 44.6%. A factors that shows association with short birth interval was ANC visit during previous pregnancy (AOR=2.82 95% CI=1.32,6.04), place of delivery of previous child (AOR=2.74 95%CI=1.27,5.90), sex of index child (AOR=2.71 95%CI=1.95,3.78) and use of modern contraceptive method (AOR=17.44 95%CI=9.66,31.50) occupational status of husband(AOR=0.26,95%CI=0.09,0.77). Conclusion: This study shows that reproductive age mothers (15-49) who experience at least two or more live birth in Gedeo zone were still practicing short birth interval. Hence, based on this finding need interventions to enhance contraceptive utilization. It would be helpful to narrow the gap between recommended birth interval and short birth spacing.