Socioeconomic and Cultural Disparities Affecting Marriage to First-Birth Interval in Pakistan: Insights from the 2017-2018 Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey

Numerous demographic, socio-economic, and cultural factors have a significant impact on the timing of first births across various regions. This research examined the sociodemographic elements influencing the timing of first births among women in Pakistan, utilizing data from the 2017–18 Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey. The Cox Proportional Hazard Model indicated that women who had received primary and secondary education, alongside those with advanced degrees, had longer durations before their first birth (HR=1.242 and HR=1.256, respectively). Current contraceptive users (HR=1.135) and women with higher economic status (HR=1.187) also had longer intervals. Conversely, women in rural areas (HR=.950) and those in male-headed households (HR=.940) tended to have shorter intervals. These findings suggest that education, economic status, and living conditions significantly impact first-birth timing. Focused public health strategies and community outreach that tackle these issues could effectively regulate population growth.