Socio-demographic Factors Influencing Short Birth Intervals Among Tribal Women in Assam: An Investigation on the Dibongiya Deori

Ensuring a healthy life for both mother and child hinges significantly on maintaining an optimal birth interval. The goal of the current study is to determine the practice of birth intervals, as well as the potential contributing factors among a tribal community in Assam, India. The sample comprises 362 Dibongiya Deori women whose husbands are alive and who have experienced at least two consecutive live births. To shed light on the factors influencing birth intervals within this community, descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and binary logistic regression are employed. The findings reveal that nearly half of the women (47.51%) have given birth to their babies within short intervals. Moreover, the logistic regression analysis ascertains that maternal age, the husband’s education level, the previous child’s status, and age at first birth are independent predictors of shorter birth intervals. To effectively promote the importance of optimal birth intervals among both newlywed and experienced parents, governmental efforts are required to enhance parental education and to organise regular health awareness programmes. These measures are crucial for fostering a culture of informed decision-making and healthier reproductive practices within the community.