Central Data Catalog
Citation Information
Type | Journal Article - Studies in Family Planning |
Title | Are female orphans at risk for early marriage, early sexual debut, and teen pregnancy? Evidence from sub-saharan Africa |
Author(s) | |
Volume | 40 |
Issue | 2 |
Publication (Day/Month/Year) | 2009 |
Page numbers | 101-112 |
URL | http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1728-4465.2009.00193.x/abstract |
Abstract | Female orphans are widely cited as being at risk for early marriage, early childbearing, and risky sexual behavior; however, to date no studies have examined these linkages using population-level data across multiple countries. This study draws from recent Demographic and Health Surveys from ten sub-Saharan African countries to examine the relationship between orphanhood status and measures of early marriage, early sexual debut, and teen pregnancy among adolescent girls aged 15 to 17. Results indicate that, overall, little association is found between orphanhood and early marriage or teen pregnancy, whereas evidence from seven countries supports associations between orphanhood and early sexual debut. Findings are sensitive to the use of multivariate models, type of orphan, and country setting. Orphanhood status alone may not be a sufficient targeting mechanism for addressing these outcomes in many countries; a broader, multidimensional targeting scheme including orphan type, schooling, and poverty measures would be more robust in identifying and aiding young women at risk. |
Related studies
» | Lesotho - Demographic and Health Survey 2004-2005, Lesotho, Lesotho. Bureau of Statistics, Lesotho. Ministry of Health and Social Welfare |
» | Malawi - Demographic and Health Survey 2004-2005, Malawi, Malawi. National Statistical Office (NSO) |
» | Tanzania - Demographic and Health Survey 2004-2005, Tanzania, Tanzania. National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) |
» | Uganda - Demographic and Health Survey 2006, Uganda, Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) |
» | Zimbabwe - Demographic and Health Survey 2005-2006, Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe. Central Statistical Office (CSO) |
Palermo, Tia, and Amber Peterman. "Are female orphans at risk for early marriage, early sexual debut, and teen pregnancy? Evidence from sub-saharan Africa." Studies in Family Planning 40, no. 2 (2009): 101-112.