Title: Spacing births, saving lives. Ways to turn the latest birth spacing recommendation into results.

POPLINE Document Number: 276678

Author(s):

Espeut D

Source citation:

[Calverton, Maryland], ORC Macro, Child Survival Technical Support Project, [2002]. 12 p. (USAID Contract No. FAO-C-00-98-00079-00)

Abstract:

For many years, family planning experts believed that a 24-month birth interval (the amount of time between the birth date of one child and the birth date of the next child) was adequate to ensure healthy mothers and healthy children. However, recent findings by Shea Rutstein, Ph.D. indicate that spacing births at least 36 months (three years) apart is even more beneficial. In his analysis, Rutstein examined the association between birth intervals and various child health and nutrition outcomes, including perinatal, infant, and under-five mortality. The analysis was conducted using MEASURE DHS+ data from 17 less-developed countries. As a result of Rutstein’s study, international experts now recognize the need to promote birth intervals that are at least three years long. (excerpt)

Keywords:

Developing Countries
Recommendations
Birth Spacing
USAID
Child Health
Impact
Use-Effectiveness
Decision Making
Households
Monitoring
Evaluation
Family Planning
Government Agencies
Organizations
Health
Communication
Contraceptive Effectiveness
Contraception
Behavior
Family and Household