Page 52 - GHES-2-3

Global Health Economics and
Sustainability
Health consequences of child marriage among rural women

To validate the effectiveness of the interview questions, by the research objectives. Pseudonyms were used to
the authors piloted them with four participants in another conceal the identity of participants. They were numbered 1
community, received approval, and modified the questions to 20. Descriptive analysis was used in the study.
to enhance the depth and breadth of responses.
Participants were given autonomy to determine the 3. Results
location and timing of the interviews. The duration 3.1. Demographic characteristics of the participants
varied, ranging from 45 to 60 min for each participant. The study included 20 women participants aged ranging
The interviews were conducted in the Igbo language and from 18 – 45 years. These women all entered marriage
subsequently translated into English by an expert from before their 18 birthday and were from the Igbo speaking
th
the English Department at the University of Nigeria, section of the community. Only four participants had
Nsukka. The authors guided the translator, clarifying any secondary education, while the remaining 16 had primary
ambiguous sections for a more accurate translation. The education. Five of the participants were widows, and the
author ceased interviews on reaching data saturation, remaining 15 were currently married. In Nigeria, primary
defined as the point where no new information emerged and secondary education are considered lower level of
(Marshall, 1996). In this case, data saturation was achieved education (Table 1 presents more details on participants’
after 20 interviews. Data collection and analysis spanned sociodemographic characteristics).
from June 2022 to November 2022. Due to insecurity
(kidnapping and militancy) in the country, conducting and 3.2. Thematic analysis
completing the interviews was delayed. Participants were 3.2.1. Theme 1: Physical health consequences of child
ensured they had the option to halt interviews or decline marriage among rural women
to respond to particular questions. Verbal consent was
obtained from all participants and permission to use a tape Our study delved into the physical health consequences
recorder was also secured. of child marriage among rural women. Physical
consequences of child marriage in this study refer to the
2.3. Data analysis immediate health impacts on a young girl’s body due to
Descriptive coding was employed to assign descriptive early marriage, encompassing issues such as early and
labels to segments of data based on their content or frequent pregnancies, childbirth strain, and the associated
meaning, summarizing the key elements without health risks of early sexual activity. Participants shared
necessarily using participants’ exact words (Braun & their first hand experiences, shedding light on issues
Clarke, 2006). In the qualitative research design following such as maternal mortality, inadequate prenatal care, and
phenomenology, thematic categories were established susceptibility to infectious diseases. Further narrating the
after the transcription and analysis of audio-recorded data physical health consequences of child marriage among
(Cresswell, 2013). The transcribed interviews were cross- rural women, participants provided poignant accounts.
referenced with the notes taken to ensure no responses A participant stated:
were overlooked. Subsequently, the data were manually “I lost my best friend during childbirth. She was just
organized into thematic elements. 16, married off early. The lack of proper healthcare and
The decision to utilize themes was driven by the need her young age took a toll. It’s a reality we live with—
for a systematic approach to categorizing responses. losing mothers too soon” (Participant 5, 30 years).
The authors employed peer debriefing and observer Another participant shared her harrowing experience:
triangulation as methodological strategies (Padgett, 2009). “I had complications during delivery. The nearest
In the context of observer triangulation, independent hospital was too far, and by the time I got there, it was
analyses were manually conducted by the authors, followed too late. I lost my baby (shakes her head). The fear of
by a comprehensive analysis to ensure proper alignment of losing one’s child is a constant worry for us, especially
quotes and themes. the younger women” (Participant 3, 25 years).
The peer, aided by the interview guide and concept note It was also revealed that participants suffered from
of the study, contributed to refining the analysis. Following infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and outbreaks as a
rigorous adherence to these methodologies, the data were result of early marriage. One participant recounted:
organized into three overarching themes: (i) the physical “My father was in a haste go give out my younger sister
health consequences, (ii) the mental health consequences, who was 12 in marriage to a 53-year-old man without
and (iii) the reproductive health implications of child preliminary medical checks. The man infected her
marriage. These themes emerged from the analysis, guided with HIV. She is seriously sick at the moment as a

Volume 2 Issue 3 (2024) 5 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.2840