Determinants of birth-interval length in the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia: a hazard-model Analysis

Differences in fertility levels can logically be attributed to differences in exposure to the risk of pregnancy and differences in the length of time between births when women are exposed. Exposure to risk varies primarily because the proportion of women cohabiting differs across populations, although in some populations sterilization removes from exposure a significant fraction of those cohabiting. This paper analyzes the determinants of the other factor that affects fertility, the length of birth intervals. Logically, differences in birth-interval length can be explained by differences in breastfeeding behavior, contraceptive use, frequency of intercourse, the incidence of abortion, and fecundity.