Postpartum amenorrhoea among Manipuri women: a survival analysis

J Health Popul Nutr. 2012 Mar;30(1):93-8. doi: 10.3329/jhpn.v30i1.11288.

Abstract

Among the three major components of a closed birth interval, waiting time to conception can somehow be managed with effective contraceptives while gestation is universally constant in its duration; the duration of postpartum amenorrhoea (PPA) varies in complex nature. The present study aimed to investigate the proximate factors influencing the duration of PPA. A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in four valley districts of Manipur, India, during 1 August-31 December 2009, to analyze the differentials and determinants of duration of PPA, applying the survival analysis technique. In total, 1,225 ever-married women were selected through two-stage cluster sampling. The median duration of PPA was 5.7 months. Among the 11 explanatory variables of interest, only three variables--place of residence (p<0.05), infant mortality from preceding pregnancy (p<0.01), and duration of breastfeeding (p<0.01)--had a significant effect on the duration of PPA. The findings may be used as baseline information for future researchers and maternal health policy-makers.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Amenorrhea / epidemiology*
  • Breast Feeding
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • India / epidemiology
  • Infant Mortality
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Maternal Age
  • Postpartum Period* / physiology
  • Pregnancy
  • Risk Factors
  • Survival Analysis
  • Time Factors
  • Young Adult