Age at First Marriage among Ever Married Women in Zambia: What Are the Determinants?

Ofentse Lekgatho, N/A

Age at first marriage had been identified as primary determinant of fertility hence the main objective of this study is to investigate socioeconomic and demographic determinants of age at first marriage in Zambia. This study used 2013/14 Zambia Demographic and Health Survey data. A total of 9552 women aged 15-49 years reported to had ever been married. Data was analyzed by descriptive analysis of frequency and crosstab to distribute respondent by selected background characteristics. Chi–square with 95 CI was used to study association between independent and dependent variable. Multivariate logistic regression was used to measure likelihood of early marriages (< 18 years) with 4 models at 95 CI. Age at sexual debut, education level, region and type of place of residence were strong indicators of age at first marriage. Policy programs in Zambia should emphasize the need for women education through increasing proportion of women with secondary and higher education.