The Effect of “Marriage by Abduction” on Child Survival in Meskan And Mareko District, Butajira, Ethiopia
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2002-04
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
A retrospective cohort study to assess the effect of “Marriage by Abduction” (MBA) on
child survival was conducted from November 2001 to January 2002 in Meskan and
Mareko District, Gurage Zone, Southern Nations Nationalities and peoples Regional
Government (SNNPR). Data were collected using an anonymous structured
questionnaire.
A census has been conducted prior to the actual sample size determination and it
produced a prevalence of 6.32% for “Marriage by Abduction” in the total population. A
total of 1105 married women participated in the study. The ratio of marriage with and
with out abduction was 1:3. Out of the total sample 954(86.3%) were from rural peasant
associations(PA) and151(13.7%)from urban dweller association (UDA). Of all
respondents 899(81.4%) were Muslims and 206(18.6%) were Christians. Majority of
respondents 938(84.9%) were illiterate and 939(85%) were housewives by occupation.
Of the total sample 244(22.1%) were married by abduction(exposed) and 861(77.9%)
married with out abduction(non-exposed). The mean age of abduction was found to be 17
+ 2.5SD. Among the abducted groups 17(7.0%) and among the non abducted 50(5.84%)
experienced still birth in their life, and it was found that statistically not significant in
biviariate analysis (p>0.502) Eighteen (7.4%) of the abducted and 71(8.2%) of the nonabducted
women reported history of death of neonate with in 7 days after birth and it was
found that statistically not significant in biviariate analysis(p>0.9305). Sixty seven
(27.4%) and 235(27.2%) among those married with and with out abduction respectively,
VI
reported life time Infant death. The proportion of polygamous marriage in the abducted
group was found to be 67 (27.5%) as compared to 212 (24.6%) in the non-abducted.
In a focus group discussion conducted with both groups of women who married by or
without abduction all of the participants condemned the practice of abduction, and
reported that reconciliation by local elders after the act of abduction is one of the main
reasons for the perpetuation of the problem. Infant or neonatal mortality was not found to
be associated with “Marriage by Abduction” after controlling for possible confounders
with logistic regression. Even if dealing with deep-rooted cultural problem is challenging,
in this study it is recommended that sensitization and awareness creation addressing each
segment of the population would help in alleviating the problem
Description
Keywords
Marriage by Abduction