Short birth interval is a common occurrence worldwide and it is essential to recognise that it can have negative consequences in relation to the health and well-being of the mother and child. Evidence has shown that pregnancy within a short interval after a previous birth is associated with a higher likelihood of maternal complications such as anemia, preterm birth, low birth weight, and obstetric fistula. In Zambia, the factors that influence experience of short births interval are not well documented. The most recent Zambia Demographic and Health Survey of 2024 provided the data for this study. A sample of 6273 women of reproductive ages 15 to 49 years was analysed. The association between individual and community characteristics and short birth intervals was investigated using multilevel binary logistic regression models. Complex survey design was considered in the statistical analysis. The prevalence of short birth interval in Zambia was 26.8% 95% CI 25.4, 28.3 in 2024. Women who were in the age group 45–49 aOR = 0.02, 95% CI 0.01–0.03 who belonged to households classified as rich aOR = 0.63, 95% CI 0.43–0.83, or those who were exposed to family planning messages aOR = 0.83, 95% CI 0.71–0.96, were less likely to experience a short birth interval. Conversely, women whose parity was 6 or more children aOR = 4.26, 95% CI 3.33–5.49 were more likely to experience a short birth interval. At the community level, areas with a high proportion of women who belonged to rich households aOR = 0.68, 95% CI 0.46–0.99 were less likely to experience a short births interval. The prevalence of short birth interval among women of child bearing age in Zambia is high. Predictors at both the individual and contextual-level were key in influencing short birth interval in Zambia. The study findings highlight the importance of increasing access to family planning information and women empowerment initiatives in order to influence women’s reproductive behaviour.
Chimpinde et al. (Thu,) studied this question.