Pregnancy spacing and fetal risk: associated factors, knowledge and attitude

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and associated factors for short birth spacing among Malay won1en who delivered at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM), Kota Bharu, Kelantan. Desig11: A cross-sectional study conducted from June to November 2005 Materials a11d 11tetltods: Three hundred and fifty five women were selected by systematic random sampling. An interview-guided questionnaire that included information on socio-demographic, obstetric, knowledge and attitude on family planning was conducted to the women and self-administered questionnaire was given to their husbands. Simple and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to determine the associated factors for short birth spacing. Results: The median birth spacing was 26 (IQR 28) months. The prevalence of short birth spacing was 45.1% (95%CI: 40.4, 49.8). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that women are less likely to have short birth spacing with every one year increase in age ( OR=0.86, 95%CI 0.80, 0.92), women with short birth spacing had 1.46 times odds of every one unit increase in parity (OR=l.46, 95%CI 1.22, 1. 76), women with short birth spacing had 6.18 times odds of breastfeeding their babies for less than 1 year (OR=6.l8, 95%CI 3.59, 10.62), women with short birth spacing had 3.95 times odds of not using family planning methods between the second last and the last delivery (OR=3.95, 95%CI 2.21, 7.05) and women with a history of abortion between the second last and the last delivery were less likely to have short birth spacingcotnparcd to those with no history of abortion (OR=0.09, 95~1oCI 0.02, 0.34). However, women's knowledge and attitude on family planning as well as husband's factors were not significantly associated with short birth spacing. Collclusioll: The prevalence of short birth spacing among Malay won1en \Vho delivered at HUSM \Vas high. Therefore, birth spacing should be given more priority in the maternal, child health, family planning and nutrition programmes at all levels

Prevalence and associated factors of contraceptives acceptance among reproductive age women attending family health clinic

Contraceptives have effects on the population's fertility and mortality as well as sexually transmitted diseases. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence and its associated factors of contraceptives acceptance among women attending family health clinic, HUSM. Married women in reproductive age 15 to 49 years old were selected by systematic random sampling. Standardized questionnaires were used to interview 411 women. The prevalence of ever-used contraceptive was 41.8% (95% CI: 37.1, 46.6). The percentages of acceptance were 17.5% (pills), 8.8% (injectables), 8.5% (condom), 6.1 % (IUD) and 6.1 % (traditional methods). The main reasons of using contraceptives were for birth spacing (77.9%) and prevent unintended pregnancy (61.6%). There were no significant differences between contraceptive users and non-users in the mean age of subjects, age at first marriage, menarche, number of birth, abortion and occupation and husbands' age, education and occupation. However there were significant differences between groups in the family income (p = 0.009), subjects' education (p = 0.001) and occupation (p < 0.001). The prevalence of contraceptive acceptance in this study was lower compared to other studies. Hormonal method was the most popular method. Employed or students, higher income and higher educated women were identified as the significant contraceptive acceptors. Health education is needed especially for housewives, lower income and lower educated women