| dc.description.abstract | Abstract: Fertility/childbearing among non-married female youths has been associated with several social
problems to a female youth, as well as both social and health problems to a child (newborn). This study was
carried out in Chamwino district in Central Tanzania between July to August, 2010 with the aim of identifying
correlates of pre-marital fertility/childbearing among non-married female youths in a study area. Specific
objectives of the study were to determine the extent of sexual and other risky behaviours and fertility among
non-married female youths in the study area; identification of socio- demographic, and behavioral factors that
are associated with pre- marital fertility among non-married female youths in the study area. This was a cross sectional study that involved 202 non-married female youths aged between 12-24 years from four randomly
selected villages from four randomly selected wards with one village from each ward. Data were analyzed for
descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages; as well as Binary Multiple Logistic Regression for
identification of factors associated with pre- marital fertility using Statistical Package for Social Sciences
(SPSS) version 12. Results of this study indicated sexual practices, risky behaviours and hence pre-marital
fertility/ childbearing among non-married female youths in a study population existed at a substantial rate, with
75% of study participants reported to had ever had sex, and nearly a quarter (24%) of those who had ever had
sex indicated to had ever given birth. Likelihood (chances) of having pre-marital fertility among non-married
female youths increased with increase in age (Odds ratio (OR = 14.9-19.80, p<0.01), increased with being from
polygamous family (OR = 4.9, p<0.05), decreased by been living with both parents in most of the time (OR =
0.04, p<0.05); and decreased with religious affiliation being protestant (OR = 0.16, p<0.05) compared to the
counterparts. The likelihood also decreased with being from other ethnic groups other than Gogo (OR = 0.10,
p<0.05), increased with use of alcohol (OR = 5.4, p<0.05), increased with if had ever received money or
material gift in exchange for sex (OR = 11.5, p<0.05), and if had close friends that are sexually active (peer
pressure) (OR = 3.2, p<0.05) compared to the counterparts. Furthermore, having secondary education and above
were associated with decreased odds of having pre-marital fertility compared to primary education or none (OR
= 0.08, p<0.01). Family type (i.e. living in nucleus or extended family) had no significant influence on odds
for reporting pre- marital fertility (OR = 1.3, p>0.05). Based on these findings, recommendations to reduce
prevalence of pre-marital fertility among non-married female youths in the study area have been indicated | en_US |
