Birth interval_Final.sav

Like most developing countries, it is pivotal to identify factors associated with birth intervals in Bangladesh for intervening programs to reduce maternal and under-five children deaths. In this study, an attempt has been made to examine the socioeconomic and demographic factors that influence birth intervals in rural and urban Bangladesh. For this purpose, the secondary data extracted from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS), 2017-18 have been utilized where a two-stage stratified sampling technique is used for data collection. The sample has been considered based on the information available on the birth interval for the last child of mothers. We have applied the Product-Limit approach, log-rank test and the popular semi parametric frailty regression model that takes into account the possible correlation among observations from the same cluster. Slight disparity has been observed in the median birth intervals between rural (60 months) and urban mothers (64 months). Age at marriage, women decision making autonomy, wealth index, division, spousal age difference were found to be significant determinants of the birth intervals in both rural and urban Bangladesh. Partner’s education showed a significant protective role for next birth in urban areas, so stronger strategies should be taken into account to advance partner’s education particularly those residing in urban areas. Besides, it is found that in rural areas, Muslim mothers tend to have shorter birth intervals compared to non-Muslim mothers. Therefore, promotion of family planning counseling should be strengthened to Muslim mothers in rural areas.