The pattern and factors associated with child spacing in eastern Saudi Arabia.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the patterns of child spacing/birth intervals in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia and the socio-economic factors related to them. The study sample comprised nine to 10-year-old Saudi school children randomly selected from 14 schools in Khobar, Thoghba and Dhahran in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. A two-stage sampling technique was applied and yielded a sample of 536 children. The SPSS programme was used for data analysis. The mean preceding and succeeding birth intervals of children in the study were 26.2 +/- 13.7 and 28.2 +/- 12 months respectively. The most important variables that were found to be significantly correlated with the birth intervals were maternal age, level of education, family size and breastfeeding. This is the first time birth intervals were studied for an urban area in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region. The figures-obtained are essential for any planning of mother and child health interventions. Health team members need to know this information and the variables related to them in order to advise mothers. The figures are also essential in planning measures to reduce infant and child morbidity and mortality.