Prevalence and Correlates of Pre-Marital Fertility (Childbearing) among Unmarried Female Youths in Chamwino District in Central Tanzania

Fertility/childbearing among non-married female youths has been associated with several social problems to a female youth, as well as both social and health problems to a child (newborn). This study was carried out in Chamwino district in Central Tanzania between July to August, 2010 with the aim of identifying correlates of pre-marital fertility/childbearing among non-married female youths in a study area. Specific objectives of the study were to determine the extent of sexual and other risky behaviours and fertility among non-married female youths in the study area; identification of sociodemographic, and behavioral factors that are associated with premarital fertility among non-married female youths in the study area. This was a crosssectional study that involved 202 non-married female youths aged between 12-24 years from four randomly selected villages from four randomly selected wards with one village from each ward. Data were analyzed for descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages; as well as Binary Multiple Logistic Regression for identification of factors associated with premarital fertility using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 12. Results of this study indicated sexual practices, risky behaviours and hence pre-marital fertility/ childbearing among non-married female youths in a study population existed at a substantial rate, with 75% of study participants reported to had ever had sex, and nearly a quarter (24%) of those who had ever had sex indicated to had ever given birth. Likelihood (chances) of having pre-marital fertility among non-married female youths increased with increase in age (Odds ratio (OR = 14.9-19.80, p<0.01), increased with being from polygamous family (OR = 4.9, p<0.05), decreased by been living with both parents in most of the time (OR = 0.04, p<0.05); and decreased with religious affiliation being protestant (OR = 0.16, p<0.05) compared to the counterparts. The likelihood also decreased with being from other ethnic groups other than Gogo (OR = 0.10, p<0.05), increased with use of alcohol (OR = 5.4, p<0.05), increased with if had ever received money or material gift in exchange for sex (OR = 11.5, p<0.05), and if had close friends that are sexually active (peer pressure) (OR = 3.2, p<0.05) compared to the counterparts. Furthermore, having secondary education and above were associated with decreased odds of having pre-marital fertility compared to primary education or none (OR = 0.08, p<0.01). Family type (i.e. living in nucleus or extended family) had no significant influence on odds for reporting premarital fertility (OR = 1.3, p>0.05). Based on these findings, recommendations to reduce prevalence of pre-marital fertility among non-married female youths in the study area have been indicated.