Sub-optimal birth spacing and associated factors among mothers of children admitted to therapeutic feeding centers with severe acute malnutrition in Oda Bultum Woreda, Eastern Ethiopia: A cross-section study

Introduction: Although several strategies have been implemented, sub-optimal birth space continues to be a serious public health issue in Ethiopia. There is limited information regarding sub-optimal birth spacing among mothers of children with severe acute malnutrition in the study area. Thus, this study aimed to assess the magnitude of sub-optimal birth spacing and it is associated factors among mothers of children admitted to therapeutic feeding centers with severe acute malnutrition in Oda-Bultum Woreda, eastern Ethiopia. Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 404 randomly selected mothers of children admitted to therapeutic feeding center with severe acute malnutrition in Oda BultumWoreda, Eastern Ethiopia from October 5 to December 4, 2020. A pretested structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used. The collected data were entered into EpiData version 3.1 and then exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Binary logistic regression was used to examine the association between suboptimal birth spacing and independent variables. A P-value < 0.05 was used to declare a statistical significance. Results: More than half of 213 (52.7%) of the study participants had sub-optimal birth spacing (<33 months). Rural residence (AOR: 1.87; 95% CI: 1.11 – 3.15), younger age at marriage (AOR: 2.92; 95%CI: 1.67––5.10), (AOR: 1.78; 95%CI: 1.07–2.95), not knowing the duration of optimal birth spacing (AOR: 4.12; 95%CI: 1.89–9.00), and shorter breastfeeding duration (AOR: 3.36, 95% CI: 2.09–5.39), and no formal education (AOR: 1.78; 95%CI: 1.07–2.95) were significantly associated with suboptimal birth spacing. Conclusion: In this study, slightly more than half mothers' whose of children with severe acute malnutrition had suboptimal birth spacing. Rural residence, lack of education, younger marital age, lack of knowledge of ideal birth space, and shorter breastfeeding duration were the identified factors that increase the odds of having sub-optimal birth spacing. To optimize birth spacing in the study area, strategies concerning young women and rural communities are recommended.