Influencing Factors of Child Marriage in Rural Municipalities of Myagdi

Abstract

Early marriage is the marriage of children andadolescents below the age of 20 years, before the girl is physically, physiologically and psychologically ready to shoulder theresponsibilities of marriage and childbearing. Child marriage which is also referred toas early marriage is an emerging economic and health concern across the world andremains a widespread problem especially in developing countries including Nepal. Methodology:A community based descriptive cross-sectional design that used bothquantitative and qualitative methods of data collection was conducted on 230 mothershaving under 2 year children in rural municipalities of Myagdi districts, Nepal. Thisstudy was used multi stagecluster sampling technique was used for this study. Fiveclusters were taken five rural municipalities and two communities of eachmunicipality was taken randomly and finally Snowball sampling technique was usedfor data collection. QuantitativeData were collectedusing apretestedsemi-structuredadministered questionnaire and qualitative data were collected by Key InformantInterviews (KIIs) guideline and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) guideline.Dataanalysis was carried out using Statistical Package forSocialSciencesversion16.0 fordescriptive variables. Result: Out of the 230 respondents most (94.3%) of the respondents were receivedinformation regarding minimum age of marriage for women. Nearly half (48.2%)were answered, I was married before 20 years. Among them, more than half of therespondents have not knowledgeon health effect of child marriage. Caste could notdetermine the early marriage although Dalit community have more practice to marryin early age. Educational status of her or her family background refers to marry inearly. KII said poor educational background family doesn't motive to teach or familydoesn't believe to study well so puss to household work and marry in early age. FGDand KII reported, cultural practice for child marriage is not seen in our community butgirls are married while going on MELA and PARBA. More than one third (37.5 &30.2 %) part of the respondentswasanswered got married due to peer pressure andown desire. FGD and KII reported Girls and boys were got married by own desire.Media and mobile phone were highly promoted to get child marriage. Among >20years married women, more than half of respondent were reported to feeling regret ofchild marriage for low education and poverty. From the FGD and KII, Negative effectof child marriage are mental stress, depression, quarrel, divorce, second marriage. Conclusion:This study is a small attempt to provide information on child marriage.The study showed that nearly half of the girls were got married before 20 years.Educational status of her or her family background refers to marry inearly. KII saidpoor educational background family doesn't motive to teach or family doesn't believeto study well so puss to household work and marry in early age. Local Mela/ Parbaare influencing to search male mate and desire to marry in early age. This Studyshowed that child marriage was promoted by own desires and peer pressure. Parentsand KII reported mobile and mass media promoted to child marriage. SomewhatFamily also pressured for the marriage. Child marriage is increasing by own desireand peer pressure. This is emerging issue