Sociodemographic factors and early marriage among women in Bangladesh, Ghana and Iraq: An illustration from Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey

Abstract

Early marriage is a form of violation of child rights to grow and develop. The Sustainable Development Goals had included early marriage in target 5.3, aiming to eliminate by 2030. This study examines the socio-demographic factors associated with women's early marriage in Bangladesh, Ghana, and Iraq using information extracted from 2019, 2017-2018, and 2018 Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICSs) of Bangladesh, Ghana, and Iraq, respectively. The chi-square test examined the association between socio-demographic factors and early marriage separately in all three countries. In logistic regression, key factors were primarily evaluated for determining effects on early marriage separately in all three countries. The mean age of the mother at first marriage was found to be 16.86, 20.23, and 20.05 years in Bangladesh, Ghana, and Iraq successively. According to surveys conducted in Bangladesh, Ghana, and Iraq, education levels of household heads and women, wealth status, mass media, number of household members, and residence were significant factors linked to early marriage. The odds of getting married early were significantly higher among women with no formal education and primary education than women with secondary or higher education in all three countries. In terms of economic status, a negative association was found between wealth status and early marriage in both Bangladesh and Ghana. Based on the findings, the study recommended that government take the necessary steps to reduce child marriage in all three countries by raising women's education and campaigning women by media to harmful effects of early marriage, particularly women from low-income families.

Awareness of Female hNursing Students of the Risk Factor Regarding Early Marriage

“…The results of the current study showed a highly statistically significant relationship between the knowledge of early marriage among female nursing students and their sociodemographic traits, including age, employment status, length of marriage, husband's age, mother's educational attainment, mother's occupation, father's educational attainment, and monthly income. This result was in accordance with Saleheen et al (22) study, in Bangladesh, Ghana, and Iraq (n=31060). They discovered a strong statistical relationship between the sociodemographic traits of females and their parents.…”

Child Marriage, Reproductive Outcomes, and Service Utilization among Young Afghan Women: Findings from a Nationally Representative Survey in Afghanistan

“…Several studies indicated a higher prevalence of child marriage among women living in rural areas (Saleheen et al. 2021). However, our study found no significant difference in child marriage between rural and urban respondents.…”

Child Marriage and Problems Accessing Healthcare in Adulthood: Evidence from India

“…Child marriage adversely impacts women’s economic opportunities [ 5 ], resulting in lower economic status for women who were married as children. Child brides also experience limited access to mass media [ 62 , 63 ]. Taken together, these studies illustrate the complexity of social, family, and gender dynamics in potentially affecting access to healthcare services for women who were married as children.…”