Preferred age of marriage and fertility intention of university students in Kano, Northern Nigeria

BACKGROUND: The age at marriage and fertility intentions of young adults have implications on family life and gender relations in the society. This study assessed the perceived ideal age of marriage, fertility intentions, and their predictors among undergraduates in Kano, Nigeria. METHOD: Using a cr...

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Main Authors: Taiwo G Amole, Ibrahim A Musa, Mustapha A Yusuf, Adewale O Ashimi, Zubairu Iliyasu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2020-01-01
Series:Nigerian Journal of Medicine
Online Access:http://www.njmonline.org/article.asp?issn=1115-2613;year=2020;volume=29;issue=1;spage=104;epage=110;aulast=Amole;type=0
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author Taiwo G Amole
Ibrahim A Musa
Mustapha A Yusuf
Adewale O Ashimi
Zubairu Iliyasu
author_facet Taiwo G Amole
Ibrahim A Musa
Mustapha A Yusuf
Adewale O Ashimi
Zubairu Iliyasu
author_sort Taiwo G Amole
collection DOAJ
description BACKGROUND: The age at marriage and fertility intentions of young adults have implications on family life and gender relations in the society. This study assessed the perceived ideal age of marriage, fertility intentions, and their predictors among undergraduates in Kano, Nigeria. METHOD: Using a cross-sectional study design, a pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire was self-administered on 268 undergraduates of Bayero University Kano. Summary statistics were obtained and adjusted odd ratios generated using logistic regression models. RESULTS: Of the 268 respondents, majority were males (62.7%), mostly in the 21-25 years age bracket (54.9%). The mean preferred age at marriage for males (27.0±4.0 years) was significantly older than that for females (19.8±3.2 years) (p<0.05). A greater proportion of males (64.3%) desired to have many (> 5) children than the female (54.0%). The predictors of preference for younger age at marriage for males were: male gender, adjusted odds ratio (aOR) [95% CI] = 5.90 [3.2’- ‘0.87]; Islamic faith (aOR) [95% CI] = 9.22 [’.89- 45.03]; and being single (aOR) [95% CI]= 0.32 [0.‘3- 0.77]. The predictors of preference of younger age at marriage for females were: male gender, adjusted odds ratio (aOR) [95% CI] = 3.44 [’.5’- 7.83], and being single (aOR) [95% CI] = 0.35 [0.'- 0.84]. CONCLUSION: Socio-cultural factors, especially patriarchal-related played a significant role in the timing of marriage and many of the young people desired to have many children. Information on family formation at appropriate timings with fertility education should target adolescents and young people to promote reproductive decision making.
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spelling doaj.art-f3284b78a19441f984961992bcaa64ce2022-12-21T22:45:10ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsNigerian Journal of Medicine1115-26132020-01-0129110411010.4103/1115-2613.284869Preferred age of marriage and fertility intention of university students in Kano, Northern NigeriaTaiwo G AmoleIbrahim A MusaMustapha A YusufAdewale O AshimiZubairu IliyasuBACKGROUND: The age at marriage and fertility intentions of young adults have implications on family life and gender relations in the society. This study assessed the perceived ideal age of marriage, fertility intentions, and their predictors among undergraduates in Kano, Nigeria. METHOD: Using a cross-sectional study design, a pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire was self-administered on 268 undergraduates of Bayero University Kano. Summary statistics were obtained and adjusted odd ratios generated using logistic regression models. RESULTS: Of the 268 respondents, majority were males (62.7%), mostly in the 21-25 years age bracket (54.9%). The mean preferred age at marriage for males (27.0±4.0 years) was significantly older than that for females (19.8±3.2 years) (p<0.05). A greater proportion of males (64.3%) desired to have many (> 5) children than the female (54.0%). The predictors of preference for younger age at marriage for males were: male gender, adjusted odds ratio (aOR) [95% CI] = 5.90 [3.2’- ‘0.87]; Islamic faith (aOR) [95% CI] = 9.22 [’.89- 45.03]; and being single (aOR) [95% CI]= 0.32 [0.‘3- 0.77]. The predictors of preference of younger age at marriage for females were: male gender, adjusted odds ratio (aOR) [95% CI] = 3.44 [’.5’- 7.83], and being single (aOR) [95% CI] = 0.35 [0.'- 0.84]. CONCLUSION: Socio-cultural factors, especially patriarchal-related played a significant role in the timing of marriage and many of the young people desired to have many children. Information on family formation at appropriate timings with fertility education should target adolescents and young people to promote reproductive decision making.http://www.njmonline.org/article.asp?issn=1115-2613;year=2020;volume=29;issue=1;spage=104;epage=110;aulast=Amole;type=0
spellingShingle Taiwo G Amole
Ibrahim A Musa
Mustapha A Yusuf
Adewale O Ashimi
Zubairu Iliyasu
Preferred age of marriage and fertility intention of university students in Kano, Northern Nigeria
Nigerian Journal of Medicine
title Preferred age of marriage and fertility intention of university students in Kano, Northern Nigeria
title_full Preferred age of marriage and fertility intention of university students in Kano, Northern Nigeria
title_fullStr Preferred age of marriage and fertility intention of university students in Kano, Northern Nigeria
title_full_unstemmed Preferred age of marriage and fertility intention of university students in Kano, Northern Nigeria
title_short Preferred age of marriage and fertility intention of university students in Kano, Northern Nigeria
title_sort preferred age of marriage and fertility intention of university students in kano northern nigeria
url http://www.njmonline.org/article.asp?issn=1115-2613;year=2020;volume=29;issue=1;spage=104;epage=110;aulast=Amole;type=0
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