Abstract
Background: Birth spacing is an important reproductive health practice with implications for maternal, neonatal, and child health. Short birth intervals may increase the risk of adverse pregnancy and child health outcomes, yet evidence on birth spacing practices among postnatal women in Rivers State, Nigeria, remains limited. This study assessed birth spacing practices and examined their association with selected sociodemographic characteristics among postnatal women attending primary healthcare facilities in Rivers State.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 454 women aged 15–49 years who had experienced at least two pregnancies and attended postnatal clinics in six selected primary healthcare facilities across the three senatorial districts of Rivers State. Participants were recruited using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, maternal characteristics, and obstetric history. Birth spacing was determined from the reported interval between the last two births. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Pearson's chi-square test, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
Results: The respondents had a mean age of 29.98 ± 6.7 years, and 56.2% were aged 27–37 years. Most were married (84.6%), had tertiary education (50.7%), and were self-employed (46.3%). Overall, 343 (75.5%) respondents reported a birth interval of 0–2 years, 53 (11.7%) reported 3–5 years, and 23 (5.1%) reported intervals above five years. No statistically significant association was observed between birth spacing and age (p = 0.094), marital status (p = 0.817), educational attainment (p = 0.142), occupation (p = 0.829), husband's educational status (p = 0.325), or household income (p = 0.071).
Conclusion: Short birth spacing was highly prevalent among postnatal women in Rivers State. The absence of significant associations with the sociodemographic variables examined suggests that birth-spacing interventions should be broadly targeted rather than restricted to specific demographic groups. Strengthening postpartum family planning counselling, ensuring contraceptive availability, addressing cultural and informational barriers, and involving partners may improve optimal birth spacing.