Child spacing intervals -- a risk factor in MCH.

This paper presents the results of a knowledge attitude and practices study on reproductive health conducted in 1987 among 2000 men and women from 20 villages in Bagamoyo District. The researchers determined the average spacing intervals between deliveries on the basis of data from approximately 750 women of the sample interviewed by questionnaires. Feedback on the ideal spacing interval was also obtained. A close relation exists between child spacing intervals and the number of pregnancies and children delivered. Approximately 60% of the men and women believe a 3-year interval between births to be appropriate; 10% of women prefer a 2-year interval compared to 23% of the men. A spacing interval of 4 years or more is appreciated by 30% of the women and 15% of the men. 11% of all mothers opted for a spacing interval of 2 years but 17% actually achieved that interval. 31% of mothers opted for a spacing of 4 years but only 20% achieved it. The data from Bagamoyo indicate that different spacing intervals are rather accidental and not planned. Women who are well-educated and women who are married to husbands with a comparatively better formal school education however have a relatively greater chance of having a healthy child spacing interval. The following conclusions are drawn from the data: average child spacing interval and parity correlate closely men and women have different ideas about birth intervals women opt for longer birth intervals than are actually observed womens education influences the length of spacing intervals mens educational and social status play an important role less childrens lives are wasted with longer delivery intervals and there is an unmet need to space pregnancies.