Age at Marriage and Fertility (A Case Study of Marbu V. D. C., Dolakha District)

Abstract

This study deals the relationship between age at marriage and fertility in Marbu VDC,Dolakha district. It is based on primary data. The data was collected through theinterview with 110 ever-married women of reproductive age group (15-49 years) from120 households. Among the total household population, females’ populationare more than males. Theproportion of widowhood and divorcedwere very low comparing with married. Most ofthe population aged 6 years and above were found to be literate. A few households hadmodern toilet facilities. Most of thehouseholdshad many livestock and poultry and usedpiped water. In this study, age at marriage is determined by women’ and husbands’ education,occupation, religion, ethnicity and social custom and traditions. These alsoaffect fertilitydirectly and indirectly.Among the 110 respondents, literate respondents had highermean age at marriage and lower CEB than illiterate. Overall, respondents’meanage atmarriage was 18.9 years. Occupation also determines the mean age at marriage andfertility. Who were engaged in service had higher mean age at marriage and lower CEBthanother occupations. Respondents, who followed Hindu religion,had higher meanage at marriage and lower CEB than Buddhist.There were Newar, Sherpa, B.K. andMagar only. Among them, Sherpa respondents had the lowest mean age at marriageand the lowest CEB.Respondents, who followed arrange marriage had lower mean ageat marriage andhigher CEB than loved married respondents. Knowledge and use of FPare found to be negatively associated with fertility. Respondents who had knowledgeofFPhad lower CEB than who hadn’t it. Who had experience of using FP had lower CEBthan nonuser. Respondents had different complications to not using FP. Thesedetermine the CEB. Respondents who were using FP had lower CEB than who weren’tusing FP. Miscarriage and inducedabortion affect the CEB. Who had experienceofmiscarriageand induced abortion had lower CEB than who hadn’t experience of it.The socio- economic and demographic factors show that the age of women andduration of marriage are found to be positively associated with fertility. Age at marriage is found to have negative relationship with mean CEB.