Abstract:
The birth of the first child is the initial visible outcome of the fertility process, symbolizing a
woman's transition into motherhood. Childbirth holds a significant transformative power,
particularly for couples experiencing it for the first time. The main objective of this study is to
find socioeconomic and demographic determinant and spatial variation of early first birth
among reproductive women in Ethiopia and to estimate median age at first birth and spatial
variation of prevalence of first birth and early birth in Ethiopia administrative areas. EDHS-
2019 conducted by Ethiopian Central Statistical Agency (CSA) and other aid organization was
used as a source of data for this study. The study included a total of 8885 women of age 15-49
years during the time of survey. Different survival model were used to explore factors associated
with the age at first birth. Out of 8885 total reproductive age women included in the study, about
65.8% (5,846 women) had experienced their first birth (event), while the remaining 34.2%
(3,039 women) had not undergone their first childbirth (censored). Among all models we have
tested inverse Gaussian shared frailty model was the best model to fit the data as it had smallest
AIC and BIC values. Some of the statistically significant factors affecting age at first birth were
wealth index, education level, the use of contraceptive method and age of household head. Living
in rural area, no formal education, wealth index were identified as predictors of early first
births. Higher prevalence rates for the early age at first birth were found in Benishangul-Gumuz
and Afar. In contrast, a lower prevalence rate was found in Hareri and Addis Ababa. Promoting
education up to at least the primary education especially inrural area and Maximizing access to
and utilization of contraceptives, and it is important to investigate factors associated with
delayed first births among urban residents and those with primary, secondary and higher
education levels.
