Study of Child Marriage Prevalence and Consequences in Delta State

Child marriage is both a human rights violation and a driver of demographic disadvantage, and documenting its prevalence and consequences in Delta State's diverse socioeconomic communities provides evidence for protective policy in the South South zone. This study investigated the prevalence, causes, and consequences of child marriage among women aged 20 to 35 in Oshimili South, Ukwuani, and Ndokwa West Local Government Areas, Delta State. A retrospective cross-sectional survey was conducted among 300 women. Data covered age at marriage, educational attainment, marital pressure sources, and health and economic consequences. Overall prevalence of marriage before age 18 was 38.7 percent. Poverty was the primary driver cited by 54.3 percent, followed by parental arrangement (38.2 percent). Women married before 18 showed significantly higher parity (mean 5.9 versus 3.2), lower educational attainment, and higher prevalence of obstetric fistula. Women from the lowest income households were 4.1 times more likely to have married early. Awareness of legal marriage age was present in only 34.7 percent. Recommendations include community awareness campaigns, engagement of community and religious leaders, conditional education support for girls from poor households, and strengthening Delta State Ministry of Women Affairs enforcement of the Child Rights Law to protect girls from premature marriage.

Keywords: child marriage, Delta State, demographic consequences, women's rights, poverty