The Effect Birth Interval on Fetal Outcome at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital – A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Birth spacing is a well-known and underutilized health intervention. Longer birth intervals are associated with multiple health benefits for both mother and the child.

Aim: To determine the effect of birth interval on fetal outcome in our environment.

Methods: A cross sectional study, conducted at the university of Maiduguri teaching hospital. The subjects were multiparous women carrying singleton pregnancy who come to deliver at the hospital Obstetrics and Gynaecology unit during the study period. A pretested questionnaire was used to obtain their sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics. The effect of birth interval on fetal outcome was determined using χ2 test.

Results: During the study period, 530 women fulfilled the inclusion criteria out of which complete data was obtained in 500 women; a response rate of 94.3%. The mean age of the study population was 28.8±5.7 years and the mean birth interval was 32.3±18.1 months. The mean gestational age at delivery was 38.93±1.87 weeks and the mean birth weight was 3270±165 gram. There was significant association between short birth interval and preterm delivery (χ2 =18.45, P=0.005) as well as fifth minute Apgar score of less than 7 (χ2 =12.112, P=0.007).

Conclusion: Short birth interval was significantly associated with preterm delivery and birth asphyxia.