Exploring Factors Influencing First Birth Intervals In Manipur, India

Abstract

Background: In developing countries, delayed childbearing, particularly the timing of the first birth, has gained considerable attention over the past decades. Strategies often focus on postponing marriage to ensure that the first childbirth occurs during the twenties or early thirties. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the determinants of first birth intervals in Manipur, a state situated in the North Eastern region of India. Materials and Methods: A crosssectional, community-based study was conducted in the valley districts of Manipur. A sample survey of 977 currently married women with at least one live birth was conducted using a pre-tested semi-structured schedule via personal interviews from April 2022 to October 2022 with 1^st April 2022, as the reference date. The survey employed a cluster sampling scheme. Analysis: The time interval between marriage and the first live birth, including censored cases where women reported first conception at the survey, served as the response variable. Various socio-economic, behavioral, cultural, and demographic factors were considered as explanatory variables, utilizing dummy variable techniques for qualitative factors. Cox's regression model (PH-model) was employed for analysis. Findings: Educational level (p < 0.01), Christian religion (p < 0.05), and age at marriage (p < 0.05) emerged as determinants of the first birth interval after adjusting for other variables. Implications: The findings of this empirical study provide valuable baseline information for understanding first birth intervals in Manipur and the North Eastern region of India.