Table 3 Selected characteristics for young women (ages 15–24) by region and type of residence, Madagascar (2009)

Socio-Demographic characteristics

Mean Age [SD]

18.2 [2.66]

18.5 [2.69]

18.8 [2.75]

18.6 [2.67]

In union (legally married or common law) (%)

28.2

24.0

18.1

15.6

Household composition (%)

 Lives with at least one parent

63.8

61.7

58.9

41.7

 Lives with spouse/partner

25.9

23.7

17.7

18.3

 Lives with other family/non-family

10.3

14.7

23.4

40.0

 Region of origin- Imerina (%)

93.4

88.0

78.6

6.7

Socio-economic characteristics

Mean highest level of Education [SD]

6.7 [2.71]

7.6 [3.25]

8.6 [3.30]

8.3 [2.96]

Median Expenditures last mth (in 1000 MGA) [IQR]

18 [2, 60]

20 [4, 78]

20 [5.6, 48]

21.5 [9.3, 81]

Receives money from parents (%)

30.7

43.8

42.9

41.7

Household in 2 poorest quintiles (%)

81.4

34.7

24.8

12.8

sexual behaviour characteristics

Have ever had sex (%)

42.9

47.3

41.8

61.7

Had two or more sex partners in last 12 months (%)

1.8

3.9

5.5

19.4

Have ever had sex in order to receive goods/money (%)

0.0

4.9

0.80

19.8

Consumption of designer goods and modern lifestyle

Used their cell phone yesterday (%)

12.6

15.3

25.1

33.9

Fashionable items obtained in last six months (%)

 0 items

21.6

24.3

22.7

35.6

 1-3 items

54.5

43.3

42.8

36.1

 4 + items

23.9

32.3

34.5

28.3

Used internet in last six months (%)

2.3

7.0

19.4

11.7

Went to nightclub in last six months (%)

0.7

2.3

5.4

8.3

Drank alcohol in last 4 weeks (%)

5.6

3.3

7.7

1.7

Perceptions concerning fashion

I am fashionable (%):

 Rarely/Never

74.8

75.3

82.9

73.9

 Sometimes

13.3

5.0

14.4

19.4

 For parties/Often/Always

12.0

19.7

2.7

6.7

Fashion is important(%):

 Not at all

27.9

59.3

55.5

55.0

 Somewhat

55.8

38.0

32.1

39.4

 Important/Very Important

16.3

2.7

12.4

5.6