Breastfeeding, birth intervals and child survival: analysis of the 1997 community and family survey data in southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract Background: This paper uses the 1997 community and family survey data to primarily address the question of whether or not short birth intervals are a problem in a population that typically breastfeeds for more than two years. Objective: To investigate the strength of the effect of birth interval on child survival in the context of communities, that are characterized by high fertility, prolonged breast-feeding and poor living conditions. Method: Anthropometry of children and recent morbidity of children are examined in addition to child survival data for children born in the six years before the survey. Results: The results show that short birth intervals are not crucial problems in populations that typically breastfeed for more than two years. Nonetheless, it was clear from the analysis that short birth intervals are associated with increased mortality rates in the ages 1-12 months, and to a much lesser extent at ages 1-4 years. Conclusion: Population policies need to have components that encourage mothers to prolong birth intervals. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2002;16(1):41-51]