Page 65 - IJPS-11-4

International Journal of
Population Studies Early marriage and infant mortality in SSA

Zimbabwe Low, 23.0 Middle, 51.2 High, 25.8
Zambia 48.1
Uganda 27.3
Tanzania 31.3
Sierra-L 55.5
Rwanda 35.5
Nigeria 51.0
Niger 83.8
Namibia 76.9
Mozambiq 37.7
Mali 65.4
Malawi 29.9
Liberia 60.5
Lesotho 30.3
Kenya 70.4
Guinea 47.6
Ghana 41.1
Garbon 55.7
Cote D'I 66.5
Cosmoros 51.0
Congo DR 29.1
Congo 42.4
Chad 55.4
Cameroon 50.2
Burundi 25.1
Burkina 49.7
Benin 42.4
Angola 45.1
0.0 20.0 40.0 60.0 80.0 100.0 120.0
Figure 2. Level of women’s empowerment in selected countries

mothers were first married at age 18 or older. These results more empowered. The relationship between child marriage
were reaffirmed after adjusting for women’s empowerment and infant mortality became insignificant after controlling
in Model 4 because children of respondents who were for the selected variables noted in Model 5. Some control
married at age 15 – 17 (HR: 1.33, CI: 1.02 – 1.74, p < 0.05) variables included in Model 5 were significantly associated
were significantly at higher risk of infant mortality than with infant mortality. For instance, children of women with
babies whose mothers were age 18 or older when they were secondary or higher education (HR: 0.80, CI: 0.58 – 0.96,
first married. The findings obtained from Model 4 further p < 0.05) were significantly more at risk of infant mortality
revealed that children whose mothers were less empowered than children in the reference groups. Model 6 clarified
(HR: 1.41, CI: 1.10 – 1.84, p < 0.01) were significantly more that birth order, birth type, and antenatal care visits were
at risk of infant mortality compared to children of women significantly associated with infant mortality. For example,
who were more empowered. The risks of infant death were children with a 4+ birth order (HR: 0.76, CI: 0.46 – 0.95,
significant for the offspring of child brides aged 15 – 17 p < 0.05) and children with multiple births (HR: 3.93,
in both Model 3 (HR: 1.38, CI: 1.06 – 1.80, p < 0.05) and CI: 2.43 – 6.35, p < 0.001) had significantly higher risks of
Model 4 (HR: 1.33, CI: 1.02 – 1.74, p < 0.05). However, the dying during infancy than children in the reference groups.
risk of death during infancy was significant for children Meanwhile, children whose mothers attended up to four or
whose mothers were married before age 15 in Model 3 (HR: more antenatal visits (HR: 0.75, CI: 0.58 – 0.97, p < 0.05)
1.34, CI: 1.01 – 1.89, p < 0.05) but was insignificant for the had significantly lower risks of dying during infancy than
same group in Model 4. The results obtained from Model children whose mothers who attended less than four
4 further evinced that children of less empowered women antenatal visits. Like Model 6, the last model (Model 7)
(HR: 1.41, CI: 1.10 – 1.84, p < 0.01) were significantly more established some predictors of infant mortality, including
at risk of infant death than children whose mothers were birth order, birth type, antenatal visits, and country of

Volume 11 Issue 4 (2025) 59 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.2411