Correlates of Internal Migration on Marriage Dissolution among Women in Nigeria: A Cohort Analysis

Résumé

Marriage dissolution affects individuals and society with socio-demographic consequences. In Nigeria, internal migration changes women sexual behavior. This study examines internal migration influences on marital dissolution among Nigerian women.

The study analysed NDHS data for 2003, 2008, 2013, and 2018 focusing on four birth cohorts (Gen Boomers, Gen X, Gen Millennial and Gen Z) Marital dissolution was the outcome variable, internal migration as the main independent variable. The analysis used distributions, chi-square and binary logistic regression tests. The result showed that current marriage dissolution was highest among Gen X (3.4%), followed by Gen Boomers (2.7%). Previous dissolution was highest among Gen Boomers (19.6%) followed by Gen X (14.1%). Rural non – migrants in Gen Millennial were less likely to experience current dissolution compared to rural – urban migrants (0.60 times, CI: 0.38-0.95). Urban non-migrants in Gen Boomers, Gen X and Gen Millennial were less likely to experience previous dissolution compared to rural non - migrants (0.60 times, CI: 0.40-0.91, 0.72 times ,CI:0.51-1.04 and 0.64 times, CI: 0.47-0.87 respectively) Other factors associated include education, household sex, lifetime partners, wealth index and working status. There is need for programs that promotes marital counselling for rural-urban migrants, economically disadvantaged women and those with low education