First Marital Dissolution in Rural Dembecha Woreda, Amhara Region

In Ethiopia, particularly in the Amhara Region, marital dissolution is a common occurrence. However, most of the determinants of such marital dissolution are not well documented. The main objective of this study was to explore the determinants of first marital dissolution in the region and to recommend for interventions.Data were collected using multistage sampling designs covering 6 rural kebeles(lowest administrative units in Ethiopia)from the study woreda (district). A total of 731 ever married women below 55 years of age (excluding those who were widowed of their first husband) were interviewed using structured questionnaire. Focus group discussions were also conducted to gather qualitative information on the causes of marital dissolution in the wereda.Previous findings indicate that marital dissolution is highly prevalent in the Amhara Region. Analysis from the current data also shows that about 56 percent of the survey respondents had dissolved their first marriage.This study also showed the main determinants of first marital dissolution in the study area.