Factors Influencing Inter-Pregnancy Interval among Antenatal Attendee in a Tertiary Hospital in Abakaliki, South-East, Nigeria

Background: World over, there has being an improvement in birth spacing resulting ina reduction in the perinatal and maternal morbidity and mortality rates. Objective: To appraise the factors influencing inter-pregnancy interval (IPI) amongpregnant women receiving antenatal care at Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was done among antenatal attendee, with atleast one previous delivery, in Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki over a sixmonth period using a structured questionnaire. Data obtained was analysed using IBM SPSSStatistics version 20. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 28.6 (95% CI 28.1 - 29.1)years. The majority (231, 70%) were multiparous. Most respondent (162, 49.1%)had their last delivery 6 - 12 months prior to conception. Thesignificant determinants of IPI include: maternal age, marital status, place of residence, socialclass, baby’s sex, family income, use of contraceptive, parity and outcome ofher last confinement. Contraceptive knowledge is high (300, 90.9%); more than 50% had thedesire to use some form of contraceptive but majority (132, 40%) said they willnever use contraceptive after delivery. Conclusions: Majority of the women had an IPI of 6 - 12months. The major determinant of this includes havinga live birth in last delivery, parity, marital status, and place of residence. Theattitude to contraception is poor; effort needs to be directed into identifyingthe immediate and remote causes of this as this will help in proper educationand counselling needed to increase contraceptive uptake.