title: REGIONAL VARIATIONS IN CHILD MARRIAGE IN BANGLADESH.
abstract: This study aimed to investigate the regional variations in the prevalence of child marriage in Bangladesh with a view to providing recommendations for division-specific policy interventions. Data from the 2011 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey were analysed using multivariate logistic regression. Substantial regional variations in child marriage were found in Bangladesh. Rangpur and Khulna had more than four times higher odds of child marriage than Sylhet (4.57 and 4.11 times, respectively). Barisal and Rajshahi had more than three times higher odds of child marriage than Sylhet (3.70 and 3.48 times, respectively). Chittagong and Dhaka had about two times odds of child marriage than Sylhet (1.98 and 2.67 times, respectively), even after controlling for selected socio-demographic, economic and cultural characteristics. Respondent's education, employment status, husband's education and wealth index were inversely associated with the prevalence of child marriage. The policy implications of these findings are discussed in the context of Bangladesh.
authors.affiliation: Department of Population Sciences,University of Dhaka,Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Md Kamrul
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Islam
authors.affiliation: Department of Population Sciences,University of Dhaka,Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Md Rabiul
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Haque
authors.affiliation: Department of Population Sciences,University of Dhaka,Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Mohammad Bellal
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Hossain
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001459:Bangladesh; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D033242:Minors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors