Table 2 Marriage characteristics of participants from reproductive-age women residing in selected kebeles of Harari regional state, eastern Ethiopia, 2022, (n = 986)
Variables | Frequency | Percent (%) |
|---|---|---|
Participant age at marriage | ||
  ≥ 18 years | 654 | 66.33 |
  < 18 years | 332 | 33.67 |
aMain reason for marriage within < 18 years (n = 332) | ||
 Social norms and tradition | 110 | 33.13 |
 To strength relationships | 91 | 27.41 |
 For prestige/respect | 40 | 12.01 |
 Difficult to get married if old | 43 | 12.90 |
 To have more children earlier | 22 | 6.62 |
 For economic purposes to get a dowry | 14 | 4.20 |
 To protect virginity | 30 | 9.03 |
How did you engage in this marriage? | ||
 Preference (Autonomous) | 589 | 59.74 |
 Arranged by others | 277 | 28.09 |
 Abduction | 88 | 8.92 |
 Unknown | 32 | 3.25 |
Asked for any consent at your first marriage? | ||
 Yes | 425 | 43.10 |
 No | 561 | 56.90 |
Do you know the legal marriage age for girls? | ||
 Yes | 325 | 32.96 |
 No | 661 | 67.04 |
Legal marriage of girl's age (n = 325) | ||
  ≤ 15 | 11 | 3.38 |
 16–17 | 76 | 23.38 |
  ≥ 18 | 238 | 73.23 |
Decision-makers for girl marriage in your locality? | ||
 Fathers only | 348 | 35.29 |
 Jointly both parents | 237 | 24.04 |
 Community leaders | 181 | 18.36 |
 Religious leaders | 176 | 17.85 |
 bOthers | 44 | 4.46 |