PERCEPTION AND ATTITUDE OF NORTHERN SETTLERS IN IBADAN ON EARLY MARRIAGE IN SABO, IBADAN, OYO STATE

Abstract

The issue of Early Marriage (EM) has become a global phenomenon, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the global efforts to eradicate the practice of EM, the tradition persists in northern Nigeria where most girls marry too early; incurring preventable health and social problems leading to maternal and infant mortality. Few studies have documented the perception and attitude towards EM of northerners residing in other parts of Nigeria. This study therefore, examined perception and attitude of northern settlers in Ibadan on EM in Sabo, Ibadan, Oyo state. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among randomly selected 420 consenting parents in Sabo, Ibadan. A three-stage sampling technique involving clustering, proportionate and simple random sampling was used. A validated semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. The instrument included a 36-point perception and 16- point attitudinal scales. Scores of 0-24 and >24 were classified as negative and positive perception towards EM respectively. Attitudinal scores 0-10 and >10 were categorised as negative and positive attitude towards EM respectively. Key informant interview guide was used to collect qualitative data and was analysed thematically while quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and Chisquare at p=0.05 level of significance. Respondents’ age was 57.0±10.7 years, all were Muslims and of Hausa ethnic group. All respondents were married and 45.2% had Arabic education. Respondents with negative and positive perception towards EM were 78.1% and 21.9% respectively. Majority (77.6%) of the respondents reported that EM protects girls from promiscuity while 62.9% claimed that there was no danger associated with EM. In addition, 68.1% of the respondents admitted that EM makes a girl submissive to her husband. Respondents with negative and positive attitude towards EM were 72.4% and 27.6% respectively. Majority (72.9%) agreed that they could marry off their teenage child at any age even at <18 years; 56.2% indicated they encouraged teenage girls (<18 years) to get married to support the family instead of thinking of education. Majority (69.8%) believed EM was part of their culture hence they cannot go against it. Factors influencing respondents’ attitude towards EM were religious beliefs (77.1%), prevention of promiscuity (56.7%), culture (45.0%), submissiveness (41.7%) and poverty (23.6%). Most respondents agreed that the culture of the host community could change the perception and attitude towards EM. However, this may take a longer time. There was no significant association between sex and perception towards EM and there was also no significant difference between years spent in Ibadan and respondents’ perception towards EM. There was a significant association between respondents’ attitude towards EM and the two type of marriage. Perception and attitude towards early marriage among northern settlers in Sabo, Ibadan was negative. Health education strategies such as enlightenment campaign, seminars and advocacy would be useful in addressing these challenges and also should be targeted at religious leaders since religion plays a great role on their perception and attitudes towards Early Marriage.