Fertility in Kenya: analysis of birth intervals in Kenya

Abstract

The study of birth intervals is important in understanding fertility dynamics. The specific objective of this study was to analyze birth intervals in Kenya. Specifically, it sought to determine the trends of birth intervals, the influence of breastfeeding on birth intervals, the effect of contraceptive use or non-use on birth intervals and also the effect of socio-economic, cultural and demographic factors on birth interval lengths in Kenya. Data was obtained from Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, 1998. Survival life tables and Cox proportional hazard model were the main methods of data analysis. The results of the survival (life) tables showed that, the death of the index child was significantly related to the birth interval length. Birth intervals were shorter where an infant had died than where the infant had survived. The results indicated that, the death of a birth in the previous interval, the previous birth interval, and the use of contraception were significantly related to the birth interval. The main policy implications, which can be drawn from the findings is that infant, and child survival and family planning Programmes should be integrated as part of an overall strategy to lower fertility in Kenya.