TITLE:
Factors Influencing Inter-Pregnancy Interval among Antenatal Attendee in a Tertiary Hospital in Abakaliki, South-East, Nigeria
AUTHORS:
Chidebe Christian Anikwe, Benjamin Samuel Umezuluike, Brown Nnamdi Ejikeme, Okechukwu Emmanuel Ndukwe, Bartholomew Chukwunonye Okorochukwu, Nworah Josaiah Obiechina, Cyril Chijioke Ikeoha, Ogah Emeka Onwe
KEYWORDS:
Abakaliki, Contraceptive Usage, Inter-Pregnancy Intervals
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.8 No.13,
November
12,
2018
ABSTRACT: Background: World over, there has being an improvement in birth spacing resulting in
a reduction in the perinatal and maternal morbidity and mortality rates. Objective: To appraise the factors influencing inter-pregnancy interval (IPI) among
pregnant women receiving antenatal care at Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was done among antenatal attendee, with at
least one previous delivery, in Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki over a six
month period using a structured questionnaire. Data obtained was analysed using IBM SPSS
Statistics version 20. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 28.6 (95% CI 28.1 - 29.1)
years. The majority (231, 70%) were multiparous. Most respondent (162, 49.1%)
had their last delivery 6 - 12 months prior to conception. The
significant determinants of IPI include: maternal age, marital status, place of residence, social
class, baby’s sex, family income, use of contraceptive, parity and outcome of
her last confinement. Contraceptive knowledge is high (300, 90.9%); more than 50% had the
desire to use some form of contraceptive but majority (132, 40%) said they will
never use contraceptive after delivery. Conclusions: Majority of the women had an IPI of 6 - 12
months. The major determinant of this includes having
a live birth in last delivery, parity, marital status, and place of residence. The
attitude to contraception is poor; effort needs to be directed into identifying
the immediate and remote causes of this as this will help in proper education
and counselling needed to increase contraceptive uptake.