Trends in age at first marriage in women and related factors: A population-based study in southwestern Iran

Marriage and related processes seem to show individual tendencies but are in fact social phenomena. The aim of this study was to identify, among women, trends in age at first marriage and its related factors. In this cross-sectional study, the target population was women in households in Fars Province, Iran. To identify main effects of variables associated with age at marriage, multiple linear regression modeling was used without interactions. Women's age, women's and their husbands' occupations and educational levels, and place of residence were included in multiple linear regression modeling. A total of 3074 ever-married women were interviewed. A steep upward trend over time in age marriage was observed. The mean age at first marriage was 16.9 ± 3.4 years in women who married during the period from 1954 to 1974, and 21.9 ± 4.1 years among those who married during 2005-2014. Age at first marriage was significantly positively associated with women's and men's educational levels and with husband's employment status as laborers (p = 0.017) and negatively associated with husbands being employees (compared to being unemployed) (p < 0.001). Health providers should focus on increasing public awareness of factors associated with early and with delayed marriage.