THE EFFECT OF SHORT INTERPREGNANCY INTERVAL ON BIRTH OUTCOME IN ENUGU, NIGERIA

Abstract

Short intervals between pregnancies have been associated with an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes. The objective of this study was to determine whether women with a short interpregnancy interval (defined as an interpregnancy interval of 12 months or less) (study group) were at increased risk of adverse birth outcomes (of preterm birth, low birth weight, and stillbirths) compared to women with an interpregnancy interval of 13-36 months (comparison group) in Enugu, Nigeria.

A multi-centre study was done with 341 women each in the study and comparison group selected by systematic sampling. Sociodemographic data such as age, marital status, education, housing, alcohol consumption, tobacco use, and occupation were obtained. Past obstetric history was also obtained. Clinical data for the index pregnancywas obtained from records into the patient’s case-records. Odds ratios (OR) was calculated and significance tests used to compare group characteristics. Significance level was P <0.05.

Compared to women with interpregnancy interval of 13-36 months, women with short interpregnancy interval were more likely to be of young maternal age, had an adverse outcome in the preceding pregnancy, and are at increased risk of preterm birth (OR 1.59, 95% CI 0.56-4.60), low birth weight (OR 2.22, 95% CI 0.78-7.20), and stillbirth (OR 2.01, 95% CI 0.10-118.68).

In Enugu, Nigeria, women with a short interpregnancy interval (≤ 12 months) areat increased risk of adverse birth outcome of preterm birth, low birth weight, and stillbirths. Spacing pregnancies adequately by use of modern family planning methods would help reduce the risk of these adverse birth outcomes.

THE EFFECT OF SHORT INTERPREGNANCY INTERVAL ON BIRTH OUTCOME IN ENUGU, NIGERIA