Social Network and Attitudes towards the Timing of the First Birth after Marriage among Married Adolescent Girls in Rural Communities in Niger

Amani Hachimou, Groupe de Recherche et d’Action pour le Développement (GRADE AFRICA)
Shweta Tomar, Center on Gender Equity and Health, UCSD, USA
Kevin Iredell, Center on Gender Equity and Health, UCSD, USA
Souleymane Amadou G, GRADE Africa
Jay Silverman, University of California, San Diego
Nouhou AbdoulMoumouni, GRADE Africa
Kadidiatou Boubacar M, Save The Children Niger
Holly Baker, Center on Gender Equity and Health, UCSD, USA

This paper aims to examine the relationship between social network characteristics and attitudes towards the timing of first birth among married adolescent girls in Niger. The data used was collected as part of the research project Tipping Point. The current analysis uses data from 1,538 married adolescent girls (ego) and includes ego’s report on their own demographics and attitudes along with their perception of 9,963 nominated alters’ attitudes and behaviors. Our outcome variable is attitude towards the timing of the first birth after marriage (0= before first wedding anniversary and 1=after first wedding anniversary). Preliminary results show that egos’ perceptions of alters’ modern FP use ever and of alters’ acceptance of reproductive coercion are significantly associated with ego’s attitude towards the timing of the first birth. These findings indicate that programs should consider promoting norms in favor of safe motherhood and healthy life outcomes through adolescent girls’ social networks.