@article{Sandhu_R. G._2017, title={Determinants and impact of early marriage on mother and her newborn in an urban area of Davangere: a cross-sectional study}, volume={4}, url={https://www.ijcmph.com/index.php/ijcmph/article/view/1084}, DOI={10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20171362}, abstractNote={<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Early marriage is a long established custom in India. In spite of the legislations prohibiting early marriages, the prevalence of child marriages in our country is 30.2%, with the highest prevalence in Rajasthan (35.4%) and lowest in Himachal Pradesh (0.5%).Thus, this study was undertaken to study the prevalence, determinants and impact of early marriage on the mother and her newborn in an urban area of Davangere<span lang="EN-IN">. </span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> <span lang="EN-IN">A cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of 6 months in the Urban Family Welfare Centre, Doddapete. A total of 900 mothers were interviewed with the help of pre- designed and semi-structured questionnaire after taking informed consent. </span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> The prevalence of child marriage in the present study was found to be 13% with 81% mothers belonging to lower socio- economic status and 77% belonging to Muslim religion. Most (62%) mothers married before the age of 18 years due to economic reasons. 54% of the mothers who married before the age of 18 years faced complications during delivery. 6% of the mothers married before the age of 18 years gave birth to low birth weight babies<span lang="EN-IN">. </span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> <span lang="EN-IN">The literacy and socio-economic status of the mother and her parents was observed as a major determinant in deciding the age at marriage. In spite of the prevailing religious traditions and socio-cultural influences that promote child marriage, an attempt should be made to educate the community regarding the medical and legal aspects of early marriage. </span></p>}, number={4}, journal={International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health}, author={Sandhu, Navneet Kaur and R. G., Geethalakshmi}, year={2017}, month={Mar.}, pages={1278–1283} }