The study aims at determining the factors affecting the first birth interval among the Santal women of child bearing age (15­49 years) in Purbi Singhbhum district, Jharkhand. 47.8 percent of women were found between the first birth interval of 13 months and 24 months. The length of the first birth interval tend to decrease with an increasing age of women A significant difference in the mean first birth interval with respect to education (p<0.05), household size (p<0.05) and contraceptive use(p<0.01 and working status(p<0.01) was found. Women giving birth after an age of 18 years were six times more likely to have a birth interval of more than 12 months than women who gave birth before 18 years of age. Working women were two times more likely to have a long birth interval than women who did not work (Significant at p value<0.01 during Bivariate analysis). Age at first birth, women’s education and women’s working status were among the best predictors for the first birth interval.

Keywords: First Birth Interval; Age at First Birth; Odds.