Health consequences of child marriage.

Understandably so, child marriage carries its load of health consequences. It is no surprise that children exposed to sexual activity, who have little to no access to health care and who are subject to infections or diseases may endure severe repercussions. Early marriage exposes girls to the possibility of pregnancy, which generally leads to a higher chance of induced abortion and increased fertility to a lack of contraception use (KAMAL, S.M.M, and al.). It should be no surprise to hear this, as young girls are much more fertile and at risk for complications in early pregnancies. Additionally, Girls between the ages of 15 and 19 years old are twice as likely to die as a result of pregnancy-related problems, while girls aged from 10-14 years old are 5 to 7 times more likely to die after delivery (Nour). It may seem astonishing to some that young girls between the ages of 10-14 years old would be getting pregnant. The harsh reality is that in many cultures which sell their children off for marriage. Children as young as ten years old are getting married because of this issue, and having little to no access to health care lowers their chances of survival by a substantial amount. Marriage of minor-aged girls is more probable to occur in rural and underprivileged communities with low access to health care, which increases the risks of maternal and infant morbidity and death (Raj). Having little access to educations forges these behaviours as they have no chance of knowing these probabilities first hand; having no chance to educate yourself cuts you off from the reality you may face when getting pregnant at such a young age. Teens are experiencing complications as well. This is why there should be restrictions to help save lives and prevent such situations. Teenage girls are more prone to experience pregnancy complications such as pregnancy-induced hypertension, spontaneous abortion, as well as delivery issues including obstructed labour and fistula problems. These maternal considerations raise the chance of newborn mortality and stillbirth, as well as preterm and low birthweight babies (Raj). Teenage mothers under the age of 28 are 35% to 55% more likely to have a preterm or low birthweight baby and infant mortality is 60 % more likely (Nour). These numbers are disturbing and should be enough to spark a change, but to these people, these practices have been a part of their cultures for many years. Having little to no education and health services at their disposal makes these numbers even more disturbing as these children and teens don't have access to health care that could save their lives or those of their babies. Finally, being educated rather than conditioned to follow these cultural norms could have prevented many complications and deaths related to early pregnancies.

Having little access to sexual education plays its risk in the contraction of deadly and seriously harmful STDs/HIVs. Teenage brides are more inclined than adult brides or unmarried teenagers to participate in unprotected intercourse, have less access to sexual health education, and report having more trouble mediating condom usage or declining sex with their husbands (Raj). Having little knowledge on; STDs, HIVs and consent drive these girls to be more vulnerable to such diseases as they are oblivious to the idea that not wearing a condom may endanger their sexual health. Moreover, having little knowledge on consent means they do not know that they can refuse sexual intercourse leading to increased chances of sexual assault, multiple dangerous pregnancies and sexual diseases. Marriage can raise these girls' risks of contracting viruses and sexually transmitted diseases, especially if their spouse has unprotected sexual encounters with other individuals. HIV infection, such as malaria, is more common among the poorest and most vulnerable members of society, hence married adolescent females are more likely to get STDs and HIVs than unmarried adolescent girls who do not engage in sexual activities (B Suresh Lal). Child marriage represents an impact on young girls and their sexual health.

Being unaware of safe sexual intercourse, these girls are at high risk of contracting malaria infections considering; that most people affected are commonly poor and vulnerable, similar to most victims of child marriage. Malaria kills 50% of the girls infected especially those having their first pregnancy. Females under the age of 19 years old have much greater malaria densities than pregnant women over the age of 19. Malaria-related illnesses such as severe anemia, pulmonary edema, and hypoglycemia are also a substantial concern (Nour). Therefore, being a child bride puts you at risk of contracting a deadly disease, leaving little hope for recovery when thinking about all the factors against these young girls and their health and safety.

Sources:

Nour, Nawal. “Child Marriage: A Silent Health and Human Rights Issue.” Rev Obstet Gynecol, vol. 2, no. 1, 2009, pp. 51–56, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2672998/pdf/RIOG002001_0051.pdf.

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Raj, A. “When the Mother Is a Child: The Impact of Child Marriage on the Health and Human Rights of Girls.” Archives of Disease in Childhood, vol. 95, no. 11, 7 Oct. 2010, pp. 931–935, adc.bmj.com/content/95/11/931.short, 10.1136/adc.2009.178707. Accessed 4 Dec. 2019.

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Kamal, SM Mostafa, et al. "Child marriage in Bangladesh: trends and determinants." Journal of biosocial Science 47.1 (2015): 120-139.

Lal, B. Suresh. "Child marriage in India: factors and problems." International Journal of Science and Research 4.4 (2015): 2993-2998.