Health Consequences of Child Marriage in Rural and Urban Communities: Comparative Study

doi:10.21608/tsnj.2021.179387

Abstract

Highlights

Child Marriage is defined as a marriage of a girl or a boy before the age of 18 years and refers to both formal marriages and informal unions in which children under the age of 18
The prevalence of child marriage among studied women was (18.5%) in rural & urban areas at marriage with mean age at marriage (15.0±2.1).This result is nearly consistent UNICEF, 2014 (10)which reported that 17% of girls in Egypt are married before their 18th birthday
Socio-demographic characteristics of rural & urban studied women Regarding to the mean age at marriage according to their residence, the studied females who live in urban areas, showed a slightly higher mean age of marriage (16.4 ± 1.7) years, compared to (15.0 ± 2.1) years among women live in rural area

Summary

Introduction

Child Marriage is defined as a marriage of a girl or a boy before the age of 18 years and refers to both formal marriages and informal unions in which children under the age of 18. Perception and attitudes of child marriage which are the broad domain of social norms, ethics, morals, values, rights, culture, tradition, spirituality and religion, and feelings about self and others are rooted in many issues (1).Causes of child marriage include; poverty, dowry, cultural traditions, laws that allow child marriages, religious and social pressures, regional customs, fear of remaining unmarried, illiteracy, natural disasters and war All of these increase the chance of sexual violence against girls, protecting the family honor and family ties in which marriage is a means of consolidating powerful relations between families (4). Consequences of child marriage are drawn in isolated and limited freedom, married girls often feel disempowered They are deprived of their fundamental rights to health, education and safety. Research questions: The following research questions are formulated to achieve the purpose of the study:- What is the prevalence of child marriage in rural and urban communities? - What are the women's perception and attitudes for child marriage in rural and urban communities?

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