Abstract:
Background: A short birth interval is a critical factor that contributes to a large number of
maternal and infant mortality in low- and middle-income countries. It is the major cause of
maternal and child mortality in Ethiopia. In the current condition of Ethiopia, Fertility, as well
as neonatal, child, and childhood mortality, are affected by a short birth interval. This study
aimed to determine the spatial pattern of short birth intervals and their associated factors
across Ethiopian administrative zones in the EDHS years (2000-2016).
Method: This study used the 2000- 2016 EDHS data collected using a two-stage sampling
method. A total weighted sample of 34930 (8823 in 2000, 8244 in 2005, 9117 in 2011, and 8746
in 2016)in the most recent birth was used. We employed statistical methods to explore the
spatial and temporal patterns of short birth intervals in women. The autologistic spatial model
was used to incorporate spatial effects into the binary logistic regression model.
Results: The results of the study indicated that the overall proportion of short birth intervals of
women in Ethiopia was highest in 2000(47.5%), 2005(46.4%), 2011(44.7%), and the lowest in
2016 (44.0%). The values for Global Moran’s I (MI=0.177665 p=0.0016, MI=0.2024, p=0.001,
MI=0.10023, p=0.002, and MI= 0.764, p=0.008) showed that the presence of significant short
birth interval clustering in Ethiopian administrative zones in 2000, 2005, 2011, and 2016
respectively. The Hotspot areas of short birth interval were consistently observed in the zones of
Somali and zones of Hareri Regions in all EDHS years. In addition, the survival status of the
index child, residence, breastfeeding practice, religion, and the spatial variable (Si) were
significantly associated with the short birth interval of women in all EDHS years.
Conclusions: Spatial distribution of short birth intervals differs across Ethiopian administrative
zones. Survival status of the index child being dead, rural residential, and no breastfeeding
practice as the risk factors for short birth intervals of women that increases the risk of short
birth interval among women in all EDHS years. Therefore, the hotspot areas and indicators
need interventions to decrease the short birth interval of women.
Key Keyword: - Autologistics spatial model; Moran’s I; hotspot analysis, Short birth interval