The Prevalence, Determinants and Perceived Effects of Girl-Child Marriage among Married Women in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area, Abia State.

Abstract

Girl-child marriage, a practice defined as any formal marriage or informal union where the female is under the age of 18. Girl-child marriage is a public health concern that represents a profound violation of human rights and a significant impediment to the development of young girls [1,2]. Child marriage perpetuates gender inequality, disproportionately impacting girls [3]. The practice has devastating consequences on the lives of millions of girls worldwide such as sexually transmitted infections, poor reproductive outcomes, intimate partner violence and mental ill health.
Across the globe, one in every 5 girls below 18 years is married, with the prevalence ranging from 23% to 19% in the past decade. Over 640 million women alive today were married as children [4]. In Africa about 30 million girls got married before 18 years, with the practice being worse in West and Central Africa, where nearly 4 in 10 young women were married before age 18. This prevalence has remained constant for the last ten years [5]. In the Sahel belt the prevalence is as high as 70% [4]. Lower levels of child marriage are seen in Eastern and Southern Africa at 32%.
Nigeria has one of the highest rates of child marriage globally with about 22 million girls and women affected with significant regional variations [6]. Current reports show that about 30% of girls in Nigeria are married before the age of 18, and 12% are married before the age of 15 [7]. This high prevalence is not uniform across the country, with significantly higher rates in the northern regions and rural areas [8].
The causes of girl-child marriage are complex and multifaceted. Poverty is a significant driver, as families may view early marriage as a means of economic survival. The level of education of the parents also play a role[8]. Cultural and traditional beliefs contribute to the practice, with some communities viewing early marriage as a way to preserve family honor or ensure social status [8,9]. Lack of access to quality education, particularly for girls, further exacerbates the problem, as girls who are out of school are more vulnerable to early marriage [5]. Additionally, inadequate enforcement of existing laws and policies contributes to the persistence of this practice, as the Child Rights Acts prohibits marriage before age 18 [10].
The health consequences of girl-child marriage are severe. Complications during pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death for girls aged 15-19 globally [11]. Early marriage significantly increases the risk of maternal mortality and morbidity, as young girls' bodies are not fully developed for delivery. Childbirth before age 19 leads to obstetrics complications [12,13]. Furthermore, early marriage often leads to psychological distress, including depression, anxiety, and social isolation [14]. The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 aims to end this harmful practice against the girl child by 2030 [15].
In Nigeria more than 40% of women between ages 20 and 24 were married before 18 years with varying prevalence across regions. The prevalence of girl-child marriage is about 12% in the southern part and about 60% in the north-west region of the country [3,7]. About 43% of married women between 15 -49 years were married before 18 years [16]. In the southeastern Nigeria, the prevalence is about 33% and the prevalence of high adolescent fertility rates was reported to be the highest in the south [17]. This highlights the need for regional strategies to address the root causes of the practice, including poverty and gender inequality.
While national statistics provide a broad overview, there is a critical need for localized research to understand the specific dynamics of girl-child marriage in Abia State and, particularly, in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area (LGA). The socio-cultural and economic context of this specific community may present unique challenges, factors that contribute to their vulnerability and opportunities for intervention. It is crucial to understand the specific context within the LGA to develop effective strategies to combat this harmful practice and safeguard the future of young girls in the community in line with eradicating early girl marriage by the year 2030 [18]. Although the state has adopted Child Rights Acts since 2006, its implementation is weak and this study would possibly assess the effectiveness of its implementation [19].
This study aims to determine the prevalence determinants and perceived effects of girl-child marriage among married women in Osisioma Ngwa LGA, Abia State, Nigeria.