Jim Shelton's Pearls

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July 19, 2004

Current Birth Intervals

I know there is good evidence that birth intervals of 3 to 5 years are associated with better child survival. But aren't women spacing births pretty well already?

No, not really. Actually a surprising number of intervals are short. A recent Population Report looked at DHS data from 55 developing countries and found that on average, 57% of births were 3 years or less and a full 26% were 2 years or less.

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The "Pearls" offer answers to commonly asked questions about family planning. These "Pearls" are prepared by Dr. James D. Shelton, Senior Medical Scientist, Office of Population, United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

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