Birth spacing among women using contraceptives in Zambia : analysis of demographic and health survey data 2013/2014

Abstract

Zambia is in its second stage of demographic transition with high fertility rate. This aspect prompted this study aimed at investigating the factors that are significant in birth spacing among women contraceptive users in the reproductive age (15-49) owing to Zambian’s youthful population. The study was drawn from the Zambian population consisting of women age 15-49 years from the cross-sectional Zambia Demographic and Health Survey 2013-14 data. Data analysis was performed using STATA 14 statistical package. Chi-square tests were performed between birth spacing and women status for association. Bivariate and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed in order to analyse the influence of predictor variables on child spacing among contraceptors using odds ratios. Model building was done. The study indicated that 1182 (13.6%) of women practice short birth interval (< 2 years) and a majority 7538 (86.4 %) practice normal birth interval (2+ years). The study further reveals that 4620 (53 %) women are non-contraceptors and 4100 (47 %) women are contraceptors. Age, ethnicity and survivals status of index child predicted normal birth spacing among contraceptors. Women aged 24 – 34 years reported high odds of normal birth interval of factor 2 compared to the age group 15 – 24 years (AOR=2.124, 95% CI; (1.667, 2.759)). Women 35 year and above reported high odds of factor 3 to attain normal birth interval compared to women aged 15-24 years AOR=2.855, 95% CI; (2.061, 3.957)). By ethnicity, Bemba, Tonga and Nyanja reported less odds of 1.9, 2.7 and 2.1 to achieve normal birth interval compared to Barotse women (AOR=0.585, 95% CI; (0.335, 0.963)), (AOR=0.549, 95% CI; (0.318, 0.950)) and (AOR=0.584, 95% CI; (0.342, 0.998)) respectively. Women with preceding child alive reported high odds of normal birth interval of factor 2 compared to women whose index child was not alive (AOR=2.193, 95% CI; (1.310, 3.669)). However, age was significant predictor of normal birth interval among women using short, medium and long acting contraceptive methods. Furthermore, findings imply that women using a method mix of contraceptives are expected to practice normal birth interval and of age above 25 years. However, women of various ethnic groupings reported less likelihood to practice normal birth interval. The results from the study entail strengthening of programs in the provision of contraception services especially method mix of contraceptives. Need to promote child related health programs to enhance survival status of children for normal birth spacing is to be achieved among women. Key words: Birth interval, Contraceptive use, Women, predictors, Zambia.