Effects of Early Marriage on Reproductive Health of Mushar Women in Biratnagar, Morang

Abstract

The study entitled "Effect of Early Marriage on Reproductive Health of Musahar Women in Biratnagar, Morang District". On the basis of primary data collection for which field survey was conducted in 2011.The main objective of this study is to identify the health problems of early married women of Biratnagar sub metropolitan city ward no.16 Mahalanuwa. Among 141women, 54 who had early married were selected for study. Child bearing mother who had early married, age below 18 were the respondent of the study. The study found that Musahars are socio-economically and educationally very poor. All of them have no registered land, which have unregistered land that is not enough for their livelihood. So most of them are seasonal labour and suffering their life hardly. The Musahar community practice in reproductive health is dreadful. They merry in early age and given birth just after. They don't use any types of contraceptive to make duration in birth. Only 20.41% women had used temporary family planning devices and 5.55% permanent method. About antenatal care 55.56% pregnant have received it but among them no one has checked up as long as they needed. They went for checkup only when they feel any critical complication. 98% deliveries are conducted at home suffering with the assistance of elder women; sudheni and mother in law .They have strong belief in Dhami and Jhankri. Similarly postnatal care is not satisfactory. Cent percent mother are debarred from it. The overall observation of the study indicated that the early marriage still highly influenced by low socio-economic status. Lack of education, traditional marriage system, social belief, early pregnancy, poor mother-child care practice effect on child and mother health. So the result of research indicates their immediate need of education awareness and income generating programs for parents.