Ndaki, Ng’ombe Barnabas2024-03-272024-03-272023Ndaki, N. B. (2023). Factors associated with short interpregnancy interval and maternal-fetal outcomes among women giving birth at Dodoma regional referral hospital: a cross sectional comparative study: Dodoma The University of Dodoma.https://repository.udom.ac.tz/handle/20.500.12661/4379MSc. MedicineBackground; Short interpregnancy interval is associated with adverse maternal-fetal outcomes, this is due to short interval between pregnancies which may result in maternal depletion of nutrients as well as partial physiological and physical recovery from pregnancy related changes, which significantly contribute to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Objectives: To determine the factors associated with short interpregnancy interval and compare the maternal-fetal outcomes among women with short and those with normal interpregnancy interval. Methodology: This was the cross-sectional study with 236 study participants, where by 118 were short and 118 were normal interpregnancy interval, convenient sampling technique was applied. Data analyzed using SPSS version 26, Frequencies and summary statistics were used to describe the study populations in relation to variables and presented using text and tables. univariate and multivariable logistic regression were done and a p-value of 0.05 and 95%CI was considered statistically significant. Results; The mean age of all study participants 29.95 ±5.37, mean age for short and normal interpregnancy interval were 29.73±5.38 and 30.17±5.38 respectively. Maternal outcomes; among Anemia, was high in short 31(77.5%), than Normal 9(22.5%), P <0.001. among premature rupture of membranes; was high in Short 18(69.2%), than in Normal 8(30.8%), P 0.038. Among preterm labor; Short had more 18(90%), than Normal 2(10%), P <0.001.Fetal outcomes; among small for gestation short had high 18(75.0%), than in normal 6(25.0%), P 0.01. Among prematurity was high in short 18(90.0%), than in Normal 2((10.0%), P<0.001. In low birth weight was high in Short 17(89.5%), than in Normal 2(10.5%), P<0.001.Factors associated with short interpregnancy interval, Vaginal delivery of previous baby (AOR=4.749, 95% CI=1.48-15.26), breastfeeding for less than 24 months (AOR=7.588, 95% CI=3.67, 15.71).nonuse of-family planning (AOR=3.351, 95% CI=1.49, 7.52). Conclusion; Short interpregnancy interval is strongly associated with Breastfeeding for <24 months, vaginal delivery of preceding baby and non-use of family planning, as well as adverse maternal-fetal outcomes. Therefore use of family planning methods and breastfeeding for at least 24months must be promoted and hence prevent/minimize further occurrences short interpregnancy interval.enBreastfeedingNormal interpregnancy intervalAnemiaMaternal depletionInterpregnancy intervalThesis