Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Community Medicine

Introduction : Early marriage is one of the most important community problem that needs more efforts and planning through development of a model that links between the Primary health care facilities and the served community. Methods: An operations research study was conducted in Talbia Family Health Center-Giza governorate. A purposive sample of 200 consented females under-20 year old . Two health educators and six nurses collected the data using a structured interview questionnaire.Results: a total of 200 clients: 165 (82.5%) were 18-19 years old (33% of them married at 18-19years) and 35 (17.5%) were less than 18 years old (63% of them married at the age of 16). young women education had a significant association with age at marriage. 36% of females who married at< 18 years old were non-educated, and were more likely to school enrolment for <14 years compared to those married at 18-19 years; where 9% of them were not educated(p= 0.0003). Participants' opinion towards early marriage: (57%) were unaware of the situation, (44%) were happy, and (12%) were rejecting the idea. Those who married before the age 18 showed a higher average pregnancies per women, a younger age of first pregnancy (<16Y), higher percentage of unfavorable outcome of pregnancy, more pregnancy related health problems such as anemia, hypertension and gestational diabetes, more new born health problems, and more breast feeding problems. Both groups had marital relation problems related to early marriage, and supported the law of legal age of marriage. Participants' suggestion to prevent this phenomenon were: increasing community awareness, encouraging girls to continue education and join the workforce. Conclusion: The implementation of the model as pilot testing in PHC/FHC indicates the applicability of the model through MOHP-PHC facilities

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