Determinants of Age at First Birth:: A Case Study of Goro District, Wolkite Town, Ethiopia

A woman's first birth is one of the most significant events in her life. In many parts of Ethiopia the median age at first birth was too young (below 18). This cross-sectional survey revealed that, the median age at giving the first birth in Wolkite town was 19 years of age. The logistic regression statistic indicated that age at first marriage, age at first sex, contraceptive use and education exhibited statistically significant impact on the mothers’ age at giving the first birth. Correspondingly, the chi-square test had also shown that, age at marriage, age at first sex, contraceptive use, education and work status of the women in Welkite town had a significant (p>0.001) relationship with the age at giving the first birth.Variation in age at first sexual intercourse, marriage, education, and the extent of contraception are found to be the determinant factor on the age of women at first birth. It therefore, girl’s enrolment at higher education and target family planning programs.

I have successfully accomplished my MSc degree in Population Studies specialized in Reproductive Health in 2009 from Addis Ababa University. I have a total of 7 years of experience as a project manager and coordinator for different Non- Governmental organization working in health and development sector.