Early marriage is a major public health problem, new study from four South Asian countries concludes Date: Source: December 11 2017: Frontiers Summary: A new study from four South Asian countries concludes that early marriage should be considered a major public health problem because of its complex relationship to women’s education, health, and nutrition, which can also affect the next generation of children. “The multiple health consequences of early marriage for women go beyond early reproduction: early marriage is a major health problem,” says a new study from four South Asian countries. “ScienceDaily. The multiple health effects of early marriage on women go beyond early motherhood: early marriage is a major health problem, according to a new study from four South Asian countries. A new study from four South Asian countries shows complex links between early marriage and women’s education, health and nutrition that go beyond the impact of early motherhood. The study, published in Frontiers in Public Health, shows why early marriage should be considered an important public health issue. Marfatia and her colleagues, after a comprehensive review of demographic, health and social studies and policy papers from international organizations on the issue, felt it necessary to emphasize child marriage as a public health issue. “Some of the negative health effects of early marriage on both mothers and their children stem from the fact that these women are so young–they are more likely to give birth for the first time and are always at greater risk. The age of women who are married has important public health implications: a review of broader social and health outcomes in South Asia. “We found that age at marriage is a sign of multiple vulnerabilities, all indicative of the persistent low status of women in society compared to men,” says the study’s lead author, Dr. Until now, public health research has paid little attention to marriage itself. “Our unique approach to tracking women’s age at marriage and educational attainment has allowed us to highlight geographic differences, for example, between rural and urban areas and between different countries,” says Dr. D. The study looks at studies from Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan, where the marriage rate of girls under 18 is among the highest in the world. The study also concludes that increased educational attainment has led to some but insufficient success in delaying girls’ marriage. These maps show that the age of marriage in these South Asian countries is not solely determined by socioeconomic factors.