Abstract

RASHEED, P.  and  AL-DABAL, B.K.. Birth interval: perceptions and practices among urban-based Saudi Arabian women. East. Mediterr. health j. [online]. 2007, vol.13, n.4, pp. 881-892. ISSN 1020-3397.

To determine perceptions towards birth spacing, actual birth interval and associated sociodemographic factors, we carried out a cross-sectional study on 436 mothers aged 15-50 years in Al-Khobar. All had had ≥ 2 children within the previous 10 years. Only 5.2% preferred a birth interval of < 2 years, 28.2% preferred a 2-< 3-year interval, while the rest favoured ≥ 3 years. Education and employment status were predictors of birth spacing preference. About half were not aware of the physical benefits associated with longer birth interval. Only 26.3% had mean birth interval < 2 years. Age and employment status were significant positive predictors of longer birth interval. Oral contraception was the most popular method adopted for child spacing.