EARLY MARRIAGE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG RURAL MARRIED WOMEN IN BEDENO DISTRICT, EASTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Background: Cause of early marriage is a complex and different from place to place. Literatures showed high prevalence of early marriage in different regions of Ethiopia. But the magnitude and its determinants in the Eastern part of Ethiopia were unknown. Knowing the status and associated factors were important to design appropriate intervention. Objective: To assess the magnitude of early marriage and associated factors among rural married women from February 5-20/2014 in Bedeno district, eastern Ethiopia. Methodology: Community-based cross sectional study design was carried out. The data ware analyzed using logistic regression and the degree of association between independent and dependent variables was assessed using odds ratio with 95% confidence interval Conclusion: This study revealed that the magnitude of early marriage in Bedenno district. In addition factors like educational status of girls, family average monthly income, place of birth were and educational status of the respondent mother were factors that affect odds of early marriage in the study area. Recommendation: based on the above findings education of girls and boys, family planning, health education or awareness creation on legal age of marriage, women empowerment and strengthening socio economic status of girls were recommended