Descriptive characteristics of sample.

Background
Child marriage remains prevalent in the Sahel region. Pervasive norms regarding child marriage, and sexual behavior persist. We explored norms from multiple perspectives to strengthen interventions aimed at delaying age at marriage.
Methods
This study analyzed a cross-sectional household survey conducted in Niger in 2022 with women aged 15–49 (n = 2,726) and a subset of their male household members aged 15–59 (n = 1,136). Separate logistic regression models assessed factors associated with three descriptive (e.g., perception of what others do) and injunctive (e.g., perception of a group’s approval or disapproval) normative outcomes related to practices that support marriage as soon as a girl reaches puberty and beliefs related to premarital sex.
Results
Our study found a greater proportion of men described early marriage as protective from the fear of socially induced ruined marital prospects for women (70% vs. 64%), while women expressed its protection from being harassed (62% compared to 42%). The injunctive norm outcome that “my neighbors think that one should marry off one’s daughter as soon as she reaches puberty” was significantly associated with the belief that child marriage was protective for females among women (OR = 4.49; 95% CI 3.13. 5.50) and men (OR = 8.21; 95% CI 5.88, 11.45).
Conclusions
Programs addressing child marriage should consider both male and female perspectives to address differences and foster an environment where communities and families shift norms to delay early marriage.

研究背景
童婚在萨赫勒（Sahel）地区仍普遍存在，有关童婚与性行为的固有社会规范依然盛行。本研究从多维度视角探究此类社会规范，旨在优化旨在推迟初婚年龄的干预措施。

研究方法
本研究对2022年在尼日尔开展的一项横断面家庭调查（cross-sectional household survey）数据进行了分析，调查对象涵盖15至49岁女性（n=2726）及其部分15至59岁男性家庭成员（n=1136）。本研究分别构建逻辑回归模型（logistic regression models），以评估与三类描述性规范（descriptive norm）及指令性规范（injunctive norm）相关的影响因素；其中描述性规范指对他人行为的认知，指令性规范指对群体认可与否的认知，两类结果均与“女孩进入青春期后即应成婚”的相关行为及婚前性行为相关观念有关。

研究结果
本研究发现，更高比例的男性认为童婚可保护女性免受因社会因素导致的婚姻前景受损（70% vs. 64%）；而女性则认为童婚可保护自身免遭骚扰（62% vs. 42%）。针对“邻居认为女孩进入青春期后即应嫁出”这一指令性规范结果，无论女性群体（比值比[Odds Ratio, OR]=4.49；95%置信区间[Confidence Interval, CI]=3.13~5.50）还是男性群体（OR=8.21；95%CI=5.88~11.45）中，均发现其与“童婚可保护女性”的观念存在显著关联。

研究结论
针对童婚问题的干预项目，应兼顾男性与女性的视角，以化解认知差异，并营造有利于社区与家庭转变社会规范、推迟早婚发生的环境。