An Exploratory Survey of Determinants Influencing Birth Spacing among Married Women Residing in Selected Rural Areas of Mysore District

Birth spacing is one of the fundamental pillars of safe motherhood and a reproductive right. It is an important life saving measure for mothers and children. Adequate birth spacing could be logical alternative strategies for fertility control. Analysis of birth spacing determinants undoubtedly provides useful information on reproduction and family formation. From the many underlying causes of maternal mortality, the contribution made by unplanned pregnancies is particularly important. A variety of demographic and socio economic characteristics influence women's spacing practices

A descriptive exploratory survey was used in the study. Two hundred (200) married women who are in the age group of 19 to 45 years and conceived minimum two times were selected by nonprobability purposive sampling technique. Data were collected using structured interview schedule. The data were collected and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. The study findings revealed that the family had more influence on birth spacing (0.913), followed by biological and medical condition (0.326), Health services (0.286), Behavioural factors (0.276) knowledge and practice (0.171) and least influence by society and religion (0.149). When all the determinants taken together in regression analysis, knowledge and practice, and society and religion showed not significant influence on birth spacing (p > 0.05). Family, behavioural factors, biological and medical conditions, health services has significant influence on birth spacing (P<0.05).

Thus, it was concluded that certain determinants were having significant influence on birth spacing among married women. It was also evident from the findings that, majority of married women (49%) were having <2 years of birth spacing duration.