Child Marriage Practice in Ebonyi State: The Sustainability of Socio Economic and Cultural Factors.

Abstract

The study examined the socio-economic and cultural factors contributing to child marriage in selected Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Despite efforts to combat child marriage, it persists, particularly in underdeveloped regions like Nigeria, especially in the Moslem North and Ebonyi State in the East. The investigation focused on individuals aged 18 and older in Ebonyi State, which had a population of 2,176,947 according to the 2006 census. To project the adult population for 2019, the 2006 population was estimated at 3,278,566 using an annual growth rate of 3.2%. The sample size for the study was 624, calculated using Taro Yamane's formula. A multi-stage sampling approach was employed, involving the three senatorial zones of Ebonyi: Ebonyi North, Central, and South. Cluster sampling categorized each zone with the Local Government Areas (LGAs), and simple random sampling selected Ebonyi, Ikwo, and Onicha LGAs. From each LGA, three communities were chosen using a simple balloting system, resulting in a total of nine communities selected across the three LGAs. The research assessed the reliability of its instrument using Cronbach Alpha and analyzed quantitative data using SPSS, employing descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Qualitative data from in-depth interviews were analyzed with Nvivo. Findings indicate older individuals in Ebonyi State tend to support child marriage more than younger individuals, influenced by cultural values and male dominance. Income was identified as a significant factor in the prevalence of child marriage, which adversely affects girls' futures. The study advocates for heightened awareness of the risks associated with child marriage, particularly in rural areas, and calls for culturally suitable programs to promote behavioral change regarding family size and marriage practices.