Determination of Covariate Effects and Risk Ratio of Divorce in Nigeria

In this research, the factors contributing to divorce are examined using the Cox proportional fit. The Schoenfeld residual was used to test for the assumption of proportionality. This research determined the relationship between the observed covariates and divorce, and the risk ratio of divorce among the couples. A data set of 111 samples from the Rivers State Judiciary High Court who filed for divorce was used for this research. Some relevant observed covariates were the ages, professions and educational levels of the couples; the presence of children; the number of counselling sessions; the number of court sittings; and the times of the marriage and divorce. Results from this research revealed that the ages of the couples led to a slight increase in the risk of divorce and not having children had a greater risk of divorce. The risk of divorce decreased as the employment status of the couples changed since the employment status is related to the financial status of the couples. The risk of divorce increased as the educational level of the couples changed from illiteracy to a higher level of education. The result also revealed that divorce was not independent of the number of counselling sessions or number of sittings. The number of counselling sessions and the number of sittings are highly significant. This research highly recommends that the government should train more professional marriage counsellors and establish marriage counselling centres in most cities where seminars, conferences, workshops and enlightenment programmes are organised with the aim of reducing divorce among couples.