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Adolescent Marriage in Nepal: A Sub-Regional Level Analysis
Authors: Arjun Mani Guragain, Binita Kumari Paudel, Apiradee Lim, and Chamnein Choonpradub
Source: Marriage & Family Review, First posted online Feb 29, 2016; DOI: 10.1080/01494929.2016.1157560
Topic(s): Marriage
Youth
Country: Asia
  Nepal
Published: FEB 2016
Abstract: This study aims to identify the distribution of marriages amongst adolescents, aged 10 to 19 years, throughout Nepal. The data was obtained from the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey, 2011. Chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses were used to identify the main determinants of adolescent marriages (AMs). Out of total 11,967 weighted samples, 9.3% (95% CI, 8–10%) of adolescents were found to have been married; a significantly higher percentage of these were female. The variability of AMs varied amongs the regions of Nepal, with a higher percentage occurring in theWestern Mountain, Mid-Western Hill and Central Terai. AMs were also more likely to have ocurred amongst the poorer households. The findings show a substantial differences of AMs in different geographic areas and demographic levels in Nepal.