The Determinants of Birth Interval in Rural Ethiopia

The analysis of birth intervals explicitly recognizes the distinct renewable nature of the fertility process. It considers the progression from one birth to the next during a woman’s reproductive life. Birth spacing among women is affected by several factors and as a result for some women a birth interval is too short; for some women the interval is too long; and for other women it is just right. Hence birth intervals play a major role on childbearing and receive attention in the study of human fertility. Wider birth interval has several benefits. Longer gap between births allows a mother more time to recover from pregnancy and delivery; the next pregnancy and birth are more likely to be at full conception and growth; there is less competition between existing children for breastfeeding, food, nutrition, the mother’s time, and other resources. Therefore, Birth Interval analysis undoubtedly provides useful information on reproduction and family formation.