Page 53 - GHES-2-3

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

Table 1. Socio-demographic characteristics of participants
Participant Age at marriage (years) Current age (years) Educational qualification Marital status Occupation
1 14 32 Secondary education Currently married Trader
2 15 45 Secondary education Currently married Farmer
3 11 25 Primary education Currently married Housewife
4 15 44 Secondary education Widowed Trader
5 12 30 Primary education Currently married Farmer
6 12 36 Primary education Widowed Trader
7 12 35 Primary education Currently married Farmer
8 13 18 Primary education Currently married Housewife
9 14 41 Primary education Currently married Farmer
10 12 37 Primary education Widowed Farmer
11 11 24 Primary education Currently married Farmer
12 15 35 Primary education Currently married Farmer
13 10 18 Primary education Currently married Housewife
14 14 35 Secondary education Widowed Trader
15 14 41 Primary education Currently married Trader
16 13 33 Primary education Currently married Farmer
17 12 24 Primary education Currently married Farmer
18 12 28 Primary education Currently married Farmer
19 11 38 Primary education Currently married Farmer
20 11 39 Primary education Widowed Farmer

result of this. We did not notice on time and it has If only there was more awareness, maybe things
developed to full-blown AIDS. My sister is always would be different” (Participant 7, 35 years).
crying because of my father’s attitude that ruined her In addition, participants described the physical toll of
life” (Participant 15, 41 years). early pregnancy on their bodies:

Another participant expressed the challenges faced “Becoming pregnant at such a young age brought
during outbreaks: its own set of challenges. My body wasn’t ready,
“During outbreaks, it is a nightmare here. I nearly and the risks were high. It was a journey filled with
died because of the outbreak. I think more health uncertainties. I have been married for 5 years with
education is needed, especially for the younger four children. I am not aware of family planning
women who might not know much” (Participant and how to ``apply it. My body needs rest. Giving
2, 45 years). birth almost on yearly basis is not good for me but
I cannot control it” (Participant 8, 18 years).
Participants also disclosed the lack of awareness
regarding prenatal care, often resorting to traditional Another participant emphasized the strain of early
medicine during pregnancy: motherhood:
“When I got pregnant at 15, I didn’t know what “Having a child so young affects your body. I feel
to do. I didn’t even know what prenatal care was weaker, and the toll on my health is evident.
when I got married. No one told me. Prenatal care It’s not easy being a mother when you’re still a
was a luxury; I had no access to it. I wish I had child yourself. Imagine a child nursing a child”
known more about taking care of myself and the (Participant 13, 18 years).
baby” (Participant 4, 44 years).
3.2.2. Theme 2: Mental health consequences of child
Another participant echoed the sentiment: marriage
“We don’t talk about prenatal care here. It’s not a The authors investigated the mental health outcomes
priority. Most of us rely on traditional practices. associated with child marriage, focusing on the prevalence

Volume 2 Issue 3 (2024) 6 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.2840