Chapter 2 

BACKGROUND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE STUDY POPULATION 

This chapter describes the study population's demographic and socio  economic 

characteristics such as age, caste/ethnicity, engagement in economic activities and 

sources of income of the families. Additional information such as the nature of work of 

the respondents to support the family income, family members working outside the 

village, the locality of their work, and the relation of the outside worker to the respondent 

is also represented in this section.  

The endline survey covers a sample population of 528 persons from representative 

VDCs:  Tityang, Bhakunde and Kusmisera and one municipality  Kalika of Baglung 

district

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. The total number of sample population covered in the endline survey is the same 

as in the baseline. Four wards from each VDC were covered. The primary target 

population of the survey comprises adolescent girls from adolescent groups of AMK. The 

secondary target population comprises the peers and parents of the primary target 

population. 

2.1 Socio  Demographic Characteristics of the Population   

A.  Age, Ethnicity, Marital Status and Family Size 

Adolescent Group 

Regarding the age composition of the population, it was the same in both the baseline and 

endline surveys. In both surveys, two thirds (66%) of the respondents were below the age 

of 15. Only one third (33%) of the respondents were age 15 and above.  

Among the various caste/ethnicity compositions of the study population in the endline 

survey, Kami Damai and Sarki (KDS) comprised the dominant group (46%) followed by 

Brahmin/Chetri/Thakuri (BCT) (35%) and Magar (19%). Whereas in the baseline survey, 

Magar formed the dominant group (44%) followed by BCT (31%) and KDS (24%). The 

endline survey did not include adolescents from the Rai/Tamang/Gurung (RTG) ethnic 

groups as KDS, BCT and Magar formed the dominant group of the adolescent girls in the 

project areas of AMK. Unlike in the baseline survey, all the adolescents covered in the 

endline survey were unmarried. (Table 2.1.1).  

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 For an explanation on why the sample population represents 3 VDCs and 1 municipality please refer to 

Pg. 4, Section 1.6 The Study Design, Area Coverage. 

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