Married Women Research Articles

The Relationship between Family of Origin Experiences and Aging Anxiety in Middle-aged Married Women: The Mediating Effects of Midlife Crisis and Family Caregiving Burden

The Relationship between Family of Origin Experiences and Aging Anxiety in Middle-aged Married Women: The Mediating Effects of Midlife Crisis and Family Caregiving Burden

Moderating Role of Sense of Coherence on the Relationship between Grief and Embitterment among Women's Experiences Fetal Demise/Spontaneous Abortion

A time of anticipation and support, bearing a child is an emotional journey defined by the promise and certainty of new life. However, some individuals and couples have a deep and often tragic experience in the middle of this joy and expectation: fetal demise/ spontaneous abortion. The intention of the current study is to examine the association between grief and embitterment for females who have undergone fetal demise/ spontaneous abortion. The study also aims to explore the buffering impact of a sense of coherence on the association between grief and embitterment. Data from 200 married women who experienced fetal demise/ spontaneous abortion was collected in person and online by using a purposive sampling technique. For data collection, three reliable scales were used, namely the Perinatal Grief Scale (PGS) for grief, the Traumatic Embitterment Disorder Self-Rating Scale (PTED) for embitterment, and the Sense of Coherence (SOC) scale for measuring sense of coherence. Results of the study suggest a positive relationship between grief and embitterment. As grief increases, embitterment also increases. Sense of Coherence helps to decrease the impact of embitterment. Sense of Coherence significantly moderates the association between grief and embitterment. The study implications were examined.

한 중년기혼여성의 자기분화 경험에 대한 자문화기술지

Objectives The purposes of my story is to examine the marital life of a middle-aged woman from the perspective of self-differentiation on a reflective manner. Methods To descrive the marital life of middle-aged married woman from the perpective of self-differentiation, I employed autoethnography. I critically described the oppressive experiences I experienced while living as a middle-aged woman based on the concept of self-differentiation. For this purpose, memory data, recall data, interview data, etc. were analyzed and described. Results As a middle-aged married woman, my early marital life was in an undifferentiated state. Initially, I was undifferentiated from my parents, and I had not attained autonomy and independence in my relationship with my husband. The crises I faced in my marital life served as catalysts for self-differentiation, gradually experiencing it through emotional and financial independence. As a result, I found resolution to marital crises and discovered new meanings. Conclusions My story serves as a meaningful case in counseling, demonstrating the significance and value of self-differentiation in marital life.

The Perception and Implications of Bride-Wealth for Marital Relationship: Gender Analysis through Sukuma Oral Arts

This study examines perception and implications of bride-wealth among the Sukuma of Tanzania. The data, which were basically the Sukuma views and the discourse of their songs were collected using interviews and observations. The analysis and interpretation of the study findings was informed by the social construction theory of reality. Two specific questions; guided the study: What knowledge do the Sukuma have about the role and practice of bride-wealth? How do the Sukuma oral arts communicate the social practices of bride-wealth in the community? The integration of songs with people’s views facilitates understanding of the context in which bride-wealth is practiced and transmitted from one generation to another. It also highlights the efficacy of oral arts, specifically songs reflecting social reality. The study reveals that the cultural practice of paying the bride-wealth in the Sukuma, on the one hand, makes the married woman a man’s product as it ties all the movement of her life; on the other hand, it threatens men’s identity, especially those who cannot manage to pay it in full. Generally, the study demonstrates how oral arts provide knowledge on power relations resulting from the inherent social practices of marriage. This knowledge contributes to the understanding of gender status quo in African countries which is one the ongoing debates globally.

Modeling the Stunting Prevalence Rate in Indonesia Using Multi-Predictor Truncated Spline Nonparametric Regression

Introduction/Main Objectives: Stunting is the impaired growth and development that children experience from poor nutrition, repeated infection, and inadequate psychosocial stimulation. Background Problems: Based on data from the National Nutrition Status Survey (SSGI) in 2022, the prevalence of stunting in Indonesia was 21.6%, which is still above the WHO standard of below 20%. Novelty: This study was conducted with the aim of analysing the factors that influence the stunting prevalence rate in Indonesia using multi-predictor truncated spline nonparametric regression. Research Methods: The research data is secondary data taken from Health Statistics 2022 with response variables in the form of stunting prevalence. Finding Result: Based on the analysis, the best model to model the stunting prevalence rate is a multi-predictor truncated spline with three knots. In addition, it was found that four predictor variables which are the percentage of infants under 6 months old receiving exclusive breastfeeding, the average age of a mother's first pregnancy, the percentage of married women aged 15-49 using contraception, and the percentage of mothers who gave birth to a live child in the past two years and initiated early breastfeeding had a significant effect simultaneously and partially on the stunting prevalence rate in Indonesia.

Prevalence, distribution and factors associated with modern contraceptive use among women of reproductive age in Uganda: evidence from UDHS 2016

BackgroundUnintended pregnancies pose significant health risks, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where millions of cases are recorded annually, disproportionately affecting adolescent women. Utilization of modern contraceptives is crucial in managing fertility and reducing unintended pregnancies, abortions, and associated health complications. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, distribution and factors associated with modern contraceptives utilization among women aged 15–49 in Uganda.MethodsThe study used secondary data from the 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS). The study sample comprise of 9,235 women aged 15–49 who used any method to prevent pregnancy in the five years preceding 2016 UDHS survey. The outcome variable for this study is utilization of modern contraceptives. Univariate, bivariate, and multilevel binary logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between individual and contextual factors on the modern contraceptive use among women aged 15–49 in Uganda. Choropleth mapping and network analysis in ArcGIS 10.8.2 was used to visualize spatial distribution of modern contraceptive use and measure community access to health facilities respectively.ResultsThe prevalence of modern contraceptive use was 53.19% (n = 4,919) in Uganda, with significant spatial variation by district. Higher prevalence (23.18%) was observed among women aged 20–29 compared to adolescents (4.1%). Only 21.9% of married women reported using modern contraceptives. At the individual-level, the factors that positively influenced use of modern contraceptives included: women’s marital status, wealth index and level of education while sex of the household head, ever terminated a pregnancy and religion negatively affected the use of modern contraceptives. At community-level, community access to health facilities was found to have negative influence on the use of modern contraceptives among women. In communities where women frequently visited health facilities in the 12 months preceding the survey, the use of modern contraceptives reduced by 3.9%. Accessibility analysis revealed challenges, with women in northeastern districts (rural districts) facing travel times exceeding four hours to reach health facilities.ConclusionUtilization of modern contraceptives are essential for promoting women’s health and well-being, particularly concerning maternal healthcare. This study highlights disparities in modern contraceptive use across age groups and the districts, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions. Policymakers and stakeholders must prioritize strategies that promote utilization of modern contraceptives and maternal healthcare services to address these disparities effectively. Such efforts are crucial for improving reproductive health outcomes and reducing the burden of unintended pregnancies and related complications in Uganda.

Neighbourhood effect and inequality in access to essential health services among mother–child paired samples: a decomposition analysis of data from 58 low- and middle-income countries

IntroductionNeighbourhood effect on health outcomes is well established, but little is known about its effect on access to essential health services (EHS). Therefore, this study aimed to assess the contributing factors to access to EHS in slum versus non-slum settings.MethodologyThe most recent data from 58 Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted between 2011 and 2018 were used, including a total of 157,000 pairs of currently married women aged 15–49 and their children aged 12–23 months. We used meta-analysis techniques to examine the inequality gaps in suboptimal access to EHS between mother-children pairs living in slums and non-slums. Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition technique was used to identify the factors contributing to the inequality gaps in each low- and middle-income country (LMIC) included.ResultThe percentage of mother–child pairs living in slums ranged from 0.5% in Egypt to 63.7% in Congo. Meta-analysis of proportions for the pooled sample revealed that 31.2% [27.1, 35.5] of slum residents and 20.0% [15.3, 25.2] among non-slum residents had suboptimal access to EHS. We observed significant pro-slum inequalities in suboptimal access to EHS in 28 of the 52 LMICs with sufficient data. Of the 34 African countries included, 16 showed statistically significant pro-slum inequality in suboptimal access to EHS, with the highest in Egypt and Mali (2.64 [0.84–4.44] and 1.76 [1.65, 1.87] respectively). Findings from the decomposition analysis showed that, on average, household wealth, neighbourhood education level, access to media, and neighbourhood-level illiteracy contributed mostly to slum & non-slum inequality gaps in suboptimal access to EHS.ConclusionThe study showed evidence of inequality in access to EHS due to neighbourhood effects in 26 LMICs. This evidence suggests that increased focus on the urban poor might be a important for increasing access to EHS and achieving the universal health coverage (UHC) goals.

Compulsive sexual behaviour in Iranian married women: Prevalence, sociodemographic, sexual, and psychological predictors across-country.

This study addresses the scarcity of research on Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder (CSBD) in non-Western cultures and women, exploring its prevalence, sociodemographic, sexual history characteristics, and sexual and psychological health factors in Iranian married women. A cross-sectional study involving 772 heterosexual married women was conducted between 2022 and 2023, covering all 31 provinces of Iran. Participants were categorized as CSBD+ (at-risk individuals) and CSBD- (low-risk individuals) based on a pre-established cut-off point of ≥18 by the Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder Scale -7. Depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, self-esteem, sexual distress, sexual satisfaction, relationship satisfaction, and sexual dysfunction were assessed as psychological and sexual health variables by standardized scales. The prevalence of CSBD was 3.8% in women. Linear regression analysis showed that lower education, being jobless, substance use, pornography use, paraphilic behaviors, conflict on sex frequency, relationship, orgasm and sexual dissatisfaction, higher sexual arousal, depression, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms were positively associated with CSBD. The univariate analysis, at a stringent significance level of 0.005, mirrored the regression findings. Additionally, women with CSBD+ exhibited lower religiousness and higher anxiety compared to those without CSBD-. Raising awareness of CSBD is crucial for health systems and individuals for better policy-making and help-seeking behavior. Identifying risk factors like substance use presents opportunities for prevention, and the association of CSBD with sexual and mental health variables suggests addressing co-occurring issues for improved treatment outcomes. Recognizing culture and gender-specific sexual and psychological correlates enables targeted and effective treatment approaches.

Understanding Miscarriage Prevalence and Risk Factors: Insights from Women in Jordan.

Background and Objectives: Miscarriage is a complication that is influenced by many risk factors that have been reported in different studies and that vary among countries. Despite the influence of various known risk factors for miscarriage, 30% to 50% of miscarriages are from unidentified causes. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of miscarriages in Jordan and the associated risk factors. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in Jordan among married women to investigate the prevalence of miscarriages and identify potential risk factors. Results: Women (n = 704) were surveyed, and 17.9% reported a history of miscarriage. The identified risk factors were being an active smoker during pregnancy, having more than four children, having a family history of miscarriage, having fertility problems, receiving medical assistance for conception, and traveling by air during pregnancy. Conclusions: The results suggest that there are both modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for miscarriages in Jordan and that a proportion of these may be preventable. The findings can be used to enhance patient awareness and inform policy development to decrease the incidence of miscarriage in the country.

Maiden Names in a Patriarchal Society - A Review

This study conducted in a society in Delhi, India, investigated the surname practices of women following marriage. A survey of 30 married women revealed that a significant number preferred to retain their original surname (17 out of 30), particularly those with higher levels of education. Contrary to traditional expectations, the decision to maintain their surname did not adversely affect their societal image within this community

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Child Marriage Among Madhesi Women in Nepal's Terai Region.

Child marriage is a detrimental practice with negative consequences for girls' health and well-being. This study aims to identify the prevalence of child marriage and associated risk factors within the Madhesi community. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a sub-metropolitan city of Lumbini Province, Nepal, in 2023. A total of 352 married women were randomly selected using simple random sampling and interviewed using a structured questionnaire between March 28th and April 17th. Descriptive categorical variables were expressed as proportions. Risk factors associated with child marriage were measured using the Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analysis. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 26. The majority of respondents (36.1%) were in the age group 21-25, with a mean age of 25.90 years ± 4.6 years. Most respondents (48.9%) received only basic-level education, with the majority (72.4%) reporting their parents as having no formal education. The primary family occupation was farming (40.1%). The prevalence of child marriage was high (77.0%), with a median marriage age of 18 years. Logistic regression analysis revealed significant risk factors including lower education levels of respondents and their parents, husband's occupation, lack of awareness about the legal marriage age, limited decision-making power regarding marriage, belief in the dowry system, discussions with friends about child marriage, and occurrence of child marriage among friends. Despite legal prohibition, child marriage remains prevalent in the Madhesi community. Educational interventions targeting women and parents, empowering women with decision-making authority, and addressing the dowry system are crucial for reducing this harmful practice.

Socio-Economic Study of the Productive Role of Married Women in West Nusa Tenggara

This paper aims to analyze socio-economic factors (women's education, husband's education, wages, family income, non-labor income, household expenditure) that encourage the productive role (work participation) of married women in West Nusa Tenggara. The research was conducted using qualitative ethnomethodological methods by trying to explain the reality of the socio-economic dimension of the productive role of married women in West Nusa Tenggara. Data was obtained from married female informants who worked as key informants, while family members, and other related informants, as accompanying informants (as well as for validation tests). The results of the study show a social (non-economic) aspect, for those who are highly educated, they want to devote the knowledge they have obtained. However, in addition to these reasons, there are also women who choose to work because they feel subjective, such as bored with the routine of taking care of the house, or because of the assumption that by working, their association and status are better than just being housewives. The basic assumption of all married women who perform productive roles is as a source of additional income. From the economic aspect, the condition of low-income households (poor families) has a target level of income in line with the level of subsistence. That the productive role of married women will depend on the husband's ability to generate income compared to the income target. If the husband's income is below the income target, the wife will work more to achieve the subsistence needs. The findings of this study can be concluded that there are two major reasons why married women in West Nusa Tenggara to perform dual roles, namely because it is a "must" and because of a "desire".

Studying the Factors Contributing to the Sexual Harassment of Women in Jalalabad City, Afghanistan: A Social Perspective

This research looked at the social causes of sexual harassment of women in Jalalabad City, Afghanistan, and discovered workable solutions. The study included descriptive analyses, content analysis, field-based data collecting, and a qualitative methodology. Semi-structured interviews with married women who experienced sexual harassment, offenders, and community members were used to gather qualitative data. Two hundred semi-structured interviews with a representative sample of married women in Jalalabad City, Afghanistan, were conducted as part of the survey research approach. This research examined the ways in which patriarchal attitudes, societal norms, dominant expectations, sexual perception, non-mahrams, cohabitation, excessive freedom, honor culture contribute to sexual harassment. The study, based on feminist theory, identified 20 societal factors contributing to sexual harassment, including social stigma, lack of knowledge, and negligent legal enforcement, and suggested preventive measures like community education campaigns and legislative changes. In Jalalabad City, Afghanistan, sexual harassment of women is a serious issue with societal contributing elements. Effective prevention of sexual harassment requires a holistic strategy that addresses societal norms, empowers women, and strengthens legal frameworks, while also considering cultural norms, inadequate enforcement mechanisms, and a culture of silence. In order to advance gender equality, provide safer surroundings, and stop sexual harassment of women in Jalalabad City, Afghanistan, this paper makes specific recommendations for legislators, non-governmental organizations, and local authorities. Based on these findings, this study recommends evidence-based prevention methods. These could involve advertisements for sexual harassment awareness, legal changes for better protection, and training for law enforcement on handling complaints more effectively.

Effect of women empowerment on treatment seeking practice for sexually transmitted infections among women in Ethiopia

BackgroundSexually transmitted infections (STI) are public health problems in Ethiopia. Women have a higher chance of acquiring STI. STI complications are more severe in women compared to men. Despite that, treatment seeking for STI among women is poor. Woman empowerment and gender related factors may be playing a role for treatment seeking practice for STI. However, there are no studies that assess the association between these factors and treatment seeking practice for STI among married reproductive age women in Ethiopia. Therefore, this analysis was designed to explore this association in Ethiopia.MethodsThis analysis used the 2016 Ethiopian demographic and health survey (EDHS) data. The 2016 EDHS collected data about STI treatment seeking practice for STI among other variables. Data was analyzed using STATA 17.0. Sampling weights were applied to improve the representativeness of the samples. Descriptive statistics were computed to describe the characteristics of the women. Binary and multivariable logistic regression models were fitted to identify the association between treatment seeking practice for STI and predictor variables. Multicollinearity was checked using variance inflation factors before running the multivariable logistic regression.ResultsIn this study, about 28% (95%CI: 20.87, 36.77) married reproductive age women with STI or STI symptoms sought treatment from the formal sector. Women whose husband attended secondary and higher education (AOR, 8.52; 95%CI 1.42, 51.21), and women with higher women empowerment scores (AOR 1.38, 95%CI 1.06, 1.81) had higher odds of treatment seeking for STI or STI symptoms. On the other hand, women who believe wife beating is justified had lower odds (AOR 0.32; 95%CI 0.15, 0.68) of treatment seeking for STI or STI symptoms.ConclusionsTreatment seeking practice for STI among married reproductive age women in Ethiopia is low. The Ministry of Health and development partners shall conduct further research to identify barriers for treatment seeking practice. Gender variables (women empowerment and belief that wife beating is justified) were significantly associated with STI treatment seeking practice among married reproductive age women. STI prevention and control strategies shall include women empowerment and gender issues as essential component in STI prevention, treatment, and control activities.

Ambivalent effects of anger in Chinese feminists’ refusal to patriarchal marriage and family

ABSTRACT Studies have shown that emotions play an important role in the emergence, unfolding, and demise of social movements. Many studies argue that anger is one of the most propelling emotions promoting movement participation, while others demonstrate the ambivalence of anger within social movements. Previous studies have suggested that the context in which emotions play a role in social movements remains underexplored. This study focuses on the self-organized feminist online space, where the political and private dimensions overlap, and contextualizes anger among online feminists who question the inferior position of women in patriarchal marriage, the family, and women’s low social status in contemporary China. Based on previous literature on emotions in social movements and methods of emotion discourse analysis, this study aims to deliberate (1) the subversive feature when anger is directed to the structure and opponents and (2) anger misaligned with other emotions in that its subversive power is suppressed. The findings revealed that anger represents subversive power when feminists oppose the source of injustice and confront their opponents’ denigration without fear. However, frustration, grievance, and pain come to the forefront when anger is suppressed in affective relationships. Additionally, when feminists successfully cope with emotional conflicts and emphasize the empowering side of their anti-marriage stance, their feminist identities are reinforced.

Barriers to Abortion among Women and Girls in Selected Districts of Nepal.

Even after two decades of legalization of abortion in Nepal, most women and girls still do not have knowledge on abortion legality and face abortion barriers. This study will explore perceived barriers to safe abortion and the factors associated with it. A Mixed method study design was conducted in 30 wards of 20 Municipals of seven districts of Lumbini and Sudurpaschim provinces. Quantitative data was analyzed for 673 women of reproductive age of 15-49 years. For qualitative data, key informant interviews were conducted. The analysis was done on five different barriers and a composite variable was created from them. Most women and girls perceived social (34.6%), followed by family (30.6%), physical (30.6%), personal (29.5%), and health facility (14.9%) barriers to access safe abortion services. The key finding was that women and girls with knowledge on abortion legality were more likely to perceive barriers to abortion (AOR:2.31, CI:1.574-3.394). Women and girls with higher educational and economic status as well as Dalit women were less likely to perceive barriers to abortion services whereas never married women and girls perceived more barriers in accessing abortion services. Women and girls perceived several barriers to access safe abortion services. Women who have better knowledge on abortion legality recognize more barriers regarding abortion. This highlights the importance of raising awareness of women and girls on abortion rights to empower them in recognizing and advocating for the removal of the obstacles that stop them from getting abortion services.

Detection of Cervical Precancer Using Visual Inspection Method with Acetic Acid.

Cervical cancer screening is the priority activity of the government. Visual inspection with Acetic acid (VIA), Pap smear Liquid-based cytology, and HPV DNA testing are different methods of screening. VIA-based screening is the cost-effective method of screening in a resource-constrained setting like in our country as this doesn't require cyto-histological testing, can be performed by trained paramedics too, and is as accurate as a cytological test. The aim is to explore pre-cancer cervical lesions by screening women in the community by visual inspection using acetic-acid. Community-based cross-sectional study done at a health camp setting for three months from March to June 2023. The married non-pregnant women of 30-60 years were screened. Descriptive tests as well as sub-group analysis performed by Chi-Square tests. From ten community health camps, 1255 cases were screened and screen positivity was 14.3%. Positive results were proportionately distributed to all parity by 13-19%. Half of the positive results (47.2%) were in the 34-40 age group. There were no significant differences in screen positivity by parity or vaginal discharge. Menopausal women had 7.7% screen positivity. The prevalence of VIA positivity in the community was found double the previous facility-based prevalence; and there was no significant difference by parity, menopausal status, and vaginal discharge. The positivity was more in 30-45 years of age.

Relationship between stress, anxiety and family environment in Turkish married individuals

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to determine how the family environment affects the stress and anxiety levels of married women and men living in the city center of Antalya. The study was defined as a descriptive quantitative research and 455 married individuals attended. Between 20 February and 20 April 2022, data were gathered at parks, bazaars, markets, streets, restaurants, and private workplaces in the Antalya city center’s Kepez, Konyaaltı, and Muratpaşa districts. The findings showed that there was a positive and weak correlation (r = 0.306) between stress and anxiety that the participants felt. The family environment had a weak and negative correlation with anxiety. The increase in the perceptions of the participants about the anxiety state elevated their stress levels (R2=.093). The increased perceptions of the family environment also decreased anxiety levels (R2=.052). It can be asserted that the family environment had a direct effect on the anxiety level of individuals and an indirect impact on their stress levels. Psychosocial interventions offer important and valuable insight for helping married individuals reduce their anxiety and stress levels.

Knowledge, Practice and Factors associated with Utilization of Cervical Cancer Screening Services.

Cervical cancer is treatable with regular screening and follow-up practices. The utilization of cervical cancer utilization services is found to be unsatisfactory in the context of Nepal. The objective of this study was to assess the factors that influence knowledge, practice, and utilization of cervical cancer screening among women in the Dhulikhel Municipality, Nepal. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 156 married women residing in Dhulikhel Municipality. The study participants were selected using the convenience sampling method. A standard questionnaire was used to collect the information. This study examined socio-demograhic data, knowledge, practice, and factors associated with cervical cancer screening. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Only one-fifth (17.9%) of the participants had received a cervical cancer screening. Most participants possessed a sufficient level, 134 out of 85.9%, of information about cervical cancer and cervical cancer screening. Annual healthcare visits (p=0.00), participant knowledge (p=0.014), and perceived barriers (p=0.001) were statistically significant factors in the uptake of cervical cancer screening. Out of those who felt they were highly susceptible, just one-fourth, or 25%, had undergone cervical cancer screening services. The number of medical visits, participants' knowledge, and perceived barriers had a significant impact on the uptake of cervical cancer screening. However, there was not found any relationship between the use of cervical cancer screening and perceived susceptibility and other socio-demographic factors.

Hormonal contraceptive use among women living with hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa: insights from 12 countries

ObjectivesGiven the well-established link between hormonal contraceptives and hypertension risk, and the paucity of research on hormonal contraceptive use dynamics in this particular demographic, we hypothesize that there is a likelihood of low utilization of high-risk hormonal contraceptives among women living with hypertension in SSA. This study investigates the prevalence and factors associated with hormonal contraceptive use among women living with hypertension in the SSA.ResultsOnly 18.5% of women living with hypertension used hormonal contraceptives. Hormonal contraceptive use was high among women with a higher level of education (aOR = 2.33; 95%CI: 1.73–3.14), those currently working (aOR = 1.38; 95%CI: 1.20–1.59), those who have heard about family planning on the radio (aOR = 1.27, 95%CI: 1.09–1.47), listened to the radio at least once a week (aOR = 1.29, 95%CI: 1.10–1.51), and those residing in rural areas (aOR = 1.32; 95%CI: 1.14–1.54). Conversely, women aged 45–49 exhibited a substantial decrease in the odds of hormonal contraceptive use (aOR = 0.23, 95%CI: 0.14–0.38) compared to younger women (15–19 years). Likewise, the odds of HCU were low among cohabiting (aOR = 0.66; 95%CI: 0.48–0.89) and previously married women (aOR = 0.67; 95%CI: 0.50–0.91) than never married women.