WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

*Enass Basim Mohammed Ali, Noora Asaad Mohammed Zwayen, Zena Ismaeel Kadhem, Sura Layth Mohammed

ABSTRACT

Background: Adequate child spacing is a key determinant of maternal and child health, influenced by multiple demographic, social, and reproductive factors. Understanding the pattern and determinants of interpregnancy intervals can guide strategies to improve reproductive health outcomes. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the pattern of interpregnancy intervals and to assess the influence of selected demographic and fertility-related factors among a sample of women in Baghdad. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in four major teaching hospitals in Baghdad—Al-Kadhimiya, Al-Yarmouk, Baghdad, and Al-Elwia—between January 2 and April 30, 2012. A total of 500 women admitted for delivery were interviewed using a structured questionnaire covering sociodemographic, reproductive, and contraceptive characteristics. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20, with p < 0.05 considered significant. Results: The mean interpregnancy interval was 27.3 months, and the most common spacing duration was 2–4 years (45.2%). Significant predictors of longer interpregnancy intervals included maternal age at current pregnancy, age at delivery of the index child, breastfeeding duration, method of delivery, and birth order (p < 0.05). However, education, occupation, sex, and survival status of the index child showed no significant association. Despite 82.8% of women reporting contraceptive use after the previous delivery, this had no significant impact on spacing. Oral contraceptive pills were the preferred method for 42% of participants, while most women favored 20–24 years as the ideal age for marriage and childbearing, and three children as the preferred family size. Conclusion: Promoting awareness about optimal birth spacing and integrating family planning education can support healthier maternal and child outcomes in Iraq.