Effects of Early Marriage Among Married Women Residing in Buddhabhumi Municipality of Kapilvastu

Abstract

Introduction: Child marriage is a public health problem. It has physical, psychological and socio-economic effects for the bride. They face worse socio-economic and health effects than their unmarried peers which leads to maternal and child morbidity and mortality. The aim of the study was to find out the effects of early marriage among married women.

Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted to find out the effects of early marriage among 119 married women. Purposive and snowball sampling was used to select samples and semi-structured interview schedule was used for data collection. Data was analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics with Statistical Package for Social Science 16.

Results: The findings revealed that 84.87% and 74.38%, 38.65% and 36.13% of the respondents faced socio-economic problems, physical health problem, psychological problems and reproductive and sexual problems as effects of early marriage respectively. Physical violence (65.34%) and school dropout (47.52 %.) were found as socio-economic effects of early marriage. Backache (56.17%) and lower abdomen pain (51.16) were main physical health problem. Anxiety (86.95%) and even suicidal thoughts (26.08%) were found. Age at first pregnancy and age at first delivery had influence on problems of the respondents.

Conclusion:The study findings concluded that the socio-economic problems are main effects of early marriage Anxiety was main problem and an even suicidal thought was also found. Local and national level programs on minimizing early marriage and early childbearing might reduce health problems and violence in women’ lives.