Tesfaye, Fikru(PhD)Kebede, Zelalem2018-07-272023-11-052018-07-272023-11-052002-04http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/10247A 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 problemenMarriage by AbductionThesis