EC Gynaecology

Background: Birth spacing also called inter-pregnancy interval is defined as the time period between the ends of one pregnancy to the start of the next pregnancy. Having inter-pregnancy interval less than two years is associated with many maternal and child health complications.

Methodology: This is a community- based cross sectional observational analytical study conducted in Al-Kalakla, Al- Gouba in Khartoum Sudan. Women of child bearing age who have two children or more, in Al-Kalakla, Al- Gouba were included in the study. The data was collected by an interviewed questionnaire.

Results: A total of 161 women were evaluated, from different age and different educational levels, the prevalence of short birth spacing less than two years was found to be (15%) and interval of more than two years was found to be (85%) of the study. Maternal complications were found to be (4.3%) have miscarriage, (1.2%) have endometritis, (1.2%) have hypertension, (0.26%) third trimester bleeding, and no women been found to have anemia and premature rupture of membrane. Child health complications in women with short birth spacing were found, (4.3%) malnutrition, (4.3%) preterm delivery, (4.9%) low birth weight.

Conclusion: We found that the prevalence of women with short inter-pregnancy interval in the area of study is less than women with spacing more than two years. There are no correlation between short inter-pregnancy interval and poor health outcome. The maternal and child health complications were found more in women with adequate inter-pregnancy interval. We recommend further research in this area.

Keywords: Birth Spacing; Maternal Health; Child Health-Malnutrition-Miscarriage; Low Birth Weight

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