Population Council Research that makes a difference

Abstract

Educational attainment and the timing of first birth in Amhara Region, Ethiopia 
Poster presentation at Population Association of America Annual Meeting, Detroit, 1 May
Muthengi,Eunice; Erulkar,Annabel S.
Publication date: 2009

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The timing of marriage and childbearing can have far-reaching consequences for the health and economic capabilities of young women in Africa. This study examines the relationship between educational attainment and the timing of first birth, using a sample of 1,365 adolescent girls in a rural region of Ethiopia. Data were analyzed by estimating life tables and Cox proportional hazards models. The results show that educational attainment has a strong positive association with the age of first birth after adjusting for family background indicators and the timing of marriage. A one-year increase in educational attainment two years prior to the period of risk is associated with a 44 percent lower hazard of having a first birth, net of other covariates (95% CI: 0.45-0.68). Findings from this study provide evidence to support the expansion of educational opportunities for girls in this region, including married adolescents.

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