The influence of adolescent age at first union on physical IPV and fertility in Uganda: A path analysis

Abstract

Background. Uganda has a high fertility rate, high levels of intimate partner violence (IPV) and also very young ages at first union. Experiencing IPV has previously been shown to increase fertility rates. Entering marriage at a later age has been shown to decrease fertility rates in some countries. Given that a large proportion of Ugandan women are married by the end of adolescence, marital age may be a key proximate determinant of fertility in Uganda. Objective. To examine the effect of age at first union on fertility, via the intermediate effect of physical IPV, among Ugandan women of reproductive age. Methods. Data from the 2011 Ugandan Demographic and Health Survey were used to create an integrated path model to investigate the effects of age at first union on fertility. Known factors that influence fertility were included in the model. The interaction with age at first union in increasing fertility differentials, via the intermediate effect of physical IPV, was assessed. Results. Results show that women who are preadolescent or adolescent at first union have a higher likelihood of experiencing IPV, indicated by both direct and indirect pathways that work via known intermediate and proximate factors. Furthermore, age at first union increases fertility, expressed as the number of children born to a woman, via a direct interaction. Conclusion. Most Ugandan women enter their first union during adolescence (<19 years), which exposes them to a higher risk of IPV and a longer period of childbearing, thereby increasing fertility rates.

A mediation analysis of the role of girl child marriage in the relationship between proximity to conflict and past-year intimate partner violence in post-conflict Sri Lanka

“…This conflict-related strategy of caregivers to "protect" girl children by marrying them has been found in other conflict-affected settings as well, including among Syrian and Sudanese refugee families exposed to conflict [ 21 , 22 ]. Our findings that suggest girl child marriage partially mediates the increased likelihood of IPV experience among women exposed to conflict are supported by studies from post-conflict Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where girl child marriage was associated with greater likelihood of IPV [ 18 , 46 ]. While there are other drivers responsible for a major part of the increased odds of IPV among women living in areas central to conflict, girl child marriage does appear to partially mediate and explain this relationship in Sri Lanka, supporting qualitative claims of its differential practice in conflict and post-conflict areas in Sri Lanka and other research on its association with IPV.…”

Trends and determinants of adolescent childbirth in Uganda- analysis of rural and urban women using six demographic and health surveys, 1988–2016

“…Urban residents had only the two factors; no or incomplete primary education and younger age at first sex. These results reinforce the role education, poverty and early age of sexual debut in increasing the risk of adolescent childbirth/pregnancy [2,25,[52][53][54][55]. Girls from poorer communities and households are more vulnerable to adolescent pregnancy and early marriage/union.…”

Risk factors for violence against women in high-prevalence settings: a mixed-methods systematic review and meta-synthesis

“…Younger age at marriage was associated with increased domestic violence (from a partner or other family member),69 and with IPV 52 70–73. An association between the village-level prevalence of child marriage (<15 years) and IPV was found in Bangladesh, suggesting that women who lived in villages with high levels of child marriage were also at increased risk of IPV even if they married as adults themselves 36.…”