The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #70416

Masood A. Shaikh, MD, MPH¹, Irshad A. Shaikh, MD, MPH, PhD¹, and Greg Pappas, MD, PhD². (1) Chester Health Bureau, Department of Public Safety, Chester City Hall, One 4th Street, Chester, PA 19013, (610) 447-7824, masoodali1@yahoo.com, (2) Demographic and Health Surveys (Measure DHS +), MACRO International Inc., 11785 Beltsville Drive, Calverton, MD 20705

This study estimates the prevalence of response as Gods’ will to question about interval between two children and examines its relationship using logistic regression with, economic status, age, and residential status in terms of urban/rural, using the data from the National Health Survey of Pakistan (NHSP), 1990-94. A two-stage stratified sample design was adopted for NHSP. The survey population comprised of 4018 women aged 21 – 70 years. STATA-7 was used to conduct a design-based analysis. Women were asked “In your opinion, how much time should elapse between two consecutive deliveries?”, and were given three response options; either a number they believed was appropriate or “Gods’ will” (GW) and “Don’t know”. The prevalence of response as GW was 59.5% and 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was 52.2% – 66.7%. Odds Ratios (OR) were computed for the association of GW response with various demographic variables. Compared to 21 – 30 year age group, statistically significant association with GW was observed in 31 – 40 year olds (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.37 – 2.19), 41 – 50 year olds (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.68 – 3.03), 51 – 60 year age group (OR 2.75, 95% CI 1.88 – 4.02) and 61 – 70 year age group (OR 3.74, 95% CI 2.41 – 5.80). Compared to low economic status, women in middle and high economic status were much less likely to give GW answer (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.40 – 0.86), and (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.16 – 0.65) respectively. No statistically significant association was found with residency status.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the socio-demographic variables and their association with “Gods’ will” as an answer to appropriate time between two children in Pakistan
• Identify the population sub groups that need to be targeted for related health education messages

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Pakistan Medical Research Council
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.