Codes and Frequencies
Description
For women who have ever been married or lived with a partner, MAR1STYR_NP (V508) reports the year of their first marriage or cohabitation according to the Nepali calendar, or Vikram Samvat. The month of the woman's first marriage/union is reported in MAR1STMO_NP (V507).
Comparability
MAR1STYR_NP (V508) has no comparability problems across Nepali samples.
All standard date variables in Nepal DHS samples are given in the Nepali calendar. The Nepali calendar, or Vikram Samvat, is a lunar calendar consisting of 12 months of 29 to 32 days each. According to the Gregorian calendar, the Nepali calendar begins in mid-April. Because the 12 months do not match the sidereal year, correctional months are occasionally added or subtracted. It is only possible to convert dates given in Vikram Samvat to the Gregorian calendar when the exact date (day, month and year) is available. Otherwise, it is only possible to approximate to the month. Vikram Samvat is approximately 56 years, 8 months, and 15 days ahead of the Gregorian calendar.
Comparability - Standard DHS
MAR1STYR_NP (V508) is included in all phases of the standard DHS questionnaire for Nepal.
Universe
- Nepal 1996: Ever-married women age 15-49.
- Nepal 2001: Ever-married women age 15-49.
- Nepal 2006: Women age 15-49 who have ever been married.
- Nepal 2011: Women age 15-49 who have ever been married.
- Nepal 2016: Women age 15-49 who have ever been married.