Peer-reviewed article
An Evaluation of the Effect of Early Marriage on Girl Child Development in Borno
Amina Ramat Saidu, Ibrahim Mohammed, Mohammed Ibrahim Bare ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study surveyed residents in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria to assess the effects of early marriage on girls' development. Respondents strongly agreed that early marriage prevents girls from attending school, increases risks of sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS, and impairs their ability to provide health services to their children. The study recommends government awareness campaigns and policies to discourage early marriage and support girls' education.
Key points
- Respondents agreed that early marriage makes it difficult for girls to attend school and fulfil duties as wives and mothers
- Early marriage increases risk for sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS
- Early marriage affects girls' ability to provide health services to their children
- Respondents believe education is useful for girl children even after marriage
- Study recommends government awareness campaigns and policies to discourage early marriage and prevent childbirth-related deaths
Limitations
The study is a survey of opinions and perceptions rather than a measurement of actual developmental outcomes in girls who experienced early marriage. The document does not provide details on sample size, response rates, or how representative the sample is of the broader population in Borno State.
Abstract
The study assesses the effect of early marriage on girl child development in Jere L.G.A. Metropolis, Borno State. Related literatures were reviewed based on specific objectives of the study. This study was a survey research method. The target population of the study comprise some selected residence in Maidugiuri, Borno State. The research instrument used for this study was a well-structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using frequency count and its equivalent percentages score as well as likert scale. The result of the study indicates that many of the respondents strongly agrees that early marriage can make it too difficult for a girl to attend school and perform her duties as wife and mother. Some of the respondents agree with the statement that Education is useful to a girl child even after marriage. While some of them strongly agree to the statement that early marriage increases risk for sexual transmitted diseases (HIV/AIDs). Majority of the respondents strongly agree that early marriage affects girl child in providing health services to their children. It is therefore, recommended that Government should create awareness on the negative effect of early marriage and how it makes girl child education almost impossible. Government should create a policy that will be geared towards discouraging early marriage as death may occur during birth.