Birth intervals and their relationship with infant mortality in Zimbabwe

The decline of mortality and fertility expected as a result of increased fertility regulation has been the subject of considerable debate (Bongaarts, 1981, 1987; Potter, 1988; Trussell, 1984). Changes in reproductive patterns can influence child health and survival through a number of different mechanisms, most notably through changes in birth order, birth interval and maternal age at child-bearing. Short intervals between births can lead to a number of health problems: • lack of maternal recuperation • lack of maternal preparation for birth • premature birth • low birth weight.

A research paper on birth intervals and their relationship to mortality rates in Zimbabwe.