Survival Analysis of Timing of First Marriage among Women of Reproductive age in Nigeria: Regional Differences

Stephen A Adebowale, Francis A Fagbamigbe, Titus O Okareh, Ganiyu O Lawal

Abstract

Early marriage is common among women in developing countries. Age at first marriage (AFM) has health implication on women and their under-five children. In Nigeria, few studies have explored AFM; the current study was designed to fill the gap. Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, 2008 dataset on married women aged 15-49(N=24,986) was used. Chi-square, OLS regression and Cox proportional hazard models were used in the analysis. The mean AFM was 17.8±4.8 years and significant difference existed between the mean AFM of women in the North (16.0±3.6) and South (20.4±5.0) (p<0.001). Region, education, religion, residence, nutritional status, age at first sexual intercourse and children ever born were significantly associated with timing of first marriage (p<0.001). Majority of the women married between ages 15-19 years (43.1%), while very few married late (2.3%) and about 27.0% married too early (less than 15years). Early marriage was more common in all the regions in the North than the South and the hazard was highest in the North West and North East. Women who reside in rural area (H.R=1.15 ; C.I =1.11

1.18) married early than their counterparts in the urban area. Age at first marriage was directly related to levels of education (p<0.001). Muslim women married early (H.R=1.34; C.I=1.291.39) than Christians. Three models were generated from the data. Women married too early in Nigeria with Teenage marriage more common in the North than the South. Education has influence on AFM; therefore, women should have at least secondary education before marriage in Nigeria.  (Afr J Reprod Health 2012; 16[4]: 95-107).

Résumé

Le mariage précoce est courant chez les femmes dans les pays en développement. L’âge au premier mariage (APM) a des répercussions sur la santé des femmes et de leurs enfants de moins de cinq ans. Au Nigéria, peu d'études ont exploré l'APM ;  la présente étude a été conçue pour combler le vide.  Nous nous sommes servis de l’Enquête Démographique de Santé du Nigeria de 2008, un ensemble de données sur les femmes mariées, âgées de 15-49 ans (N = 24 986). Pour l’analyse, nous avons utilisé les Chi-carre, les modèle  de régression MCO, MCO  et les risques proportionnels de Cox.  La moyenne  de l’APM était de 17,8 ± 4,8 ans et la différence significative entre la moyenne APM des femmes au Nord (16,0 ± 3,6) et du Sud (20,4 ± 5,0) (p <0,001). Le choix du temps du premier mariage (p<0,001)  a été lié, de manière significative, à la région, à l'éducation, à la religion, au domicile, à l'état nutritionnel, au premier rapport sexuel et les enfants nés. La majorité des femmes se sont mariées entre l'âge de 15-19 ans (43,1%), alors que très peu se sont mariées tard (2,3%) et environ 27,0% des femmes se sont mariées trop tôt (moins de 15 ans). Le mariage précoce est plus fréquent dans toutes les régions du Nord qu’au Sud et le risque était le plus élevé au NordOuest et Nord-est. Les femmes qui vivent en milieu rural (HR = 1,15, IC = 1,11 1,18) se marient plus tôt que leurs homologues du milieu urbain. L’âge au premier mariage était directement liée au niveau d'éducation (p <0,001). Les femmes musulmanes se marient  plus tôt (HR = 1,34, IC = 1,29 1,39) que les femmes chrétiennes. Trois modèles ont été générées à partir des données. Les femmes se marient trop tôt au Nigéria, le mariage chez les adolescentes étant  plus fréquent au Nord qu’au Sud. L'éducation a une influence sur l'APM ; par conséquent, les femmes doivent se scolariser au moins jusqu'à l’école secondaire avant le mariage au Nigéria (Afr J Reprod Health 2012; 16[4]: 95-107).

Keywords: Nigeria, Age at first Marriage, North-South Differential

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