Abstract:

Aim: Early marriages effect women and children health adversely. To determine the prevalence of early marriages and factors associated with early marriages, this study was conducted in Diyarbakir province which is in the Southeastern Region of Turkey. Material: The study was cross sectional and a questionnaire was applied to 966 women aged över 15 years, living in Diyarbakir province. Results: The prevalence of early marriage was 42.4%. As the early marriage prevalence was increase by age. llliteracy rate was 67,8% in women with early marriage, it was 52.5% in women without early marriage. Rural residence rate was 59,9% in women with early marriage and it was 38,0% in women without early marriage. There was association between early marriage and consanguinity marriage. Mean child death, mean abortion and mean pregnancy were higher among women with early marriage. Conclusion: İn Diyarbakir early marriage is an important and prevalent issue. Primary health care services should be planed for women with early marriage.

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