Health outcomes from child marriages in humanitarian settings

Srinivas, Sanjana

Abstract

Background Globally, it is predicted that there are 640 million girls and women around the world, alive today, who were married off in childhood. Evidence shows that there is an increase in the prevalence of child marriages during humanitarian crises. Girls who have had child marriages in humanitarian settings often have their health neglected. This systematic review aims to explore the issue of child marriages by focusing on its health implications within humanitarian settings, in line with sustainable development goals.

Methods A mixed-methods systematic review was conducted using four databases (MEDLINE, PSYCINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science), focusing on girls who have had child marriages and their experienced health outcomes in humanitarian settings. The mixed-methods appraisal tool was used to evaluate the quality of the studies. Thematic analysis was then utilised to critically interpret the qualitative studies and develop a conceptual model for the causes of health outcomes experienced by the girls. This review follows the PRISMA guideline recommendations for systematic reviews.

Results Among the 1406 articles screened by abstracts, 20 met the eligibility criteria. We found that the odds ratio of IPV is significantly increased when women are exposed to child marriages in humanitarian settings and pooled this in a forest plot. The themes developed from qualitative studies were: the fragility of healthcare systems; the mental health implications; nutritional well-being; the consequences of IPV and sexual and reproductive health challenges. Our conceptual model shows that there are multiple risk factors, relating to the social determinants of health, driving the health outcomes girls experience from child marriages, in humanitarian settings.

Conclusion Available evidence suggests that health outcomes of girls who experienced child marriages in humanitarian settings are attributable to several risk factors, yet this population remains overlooked. More studies analysing the risk factors are needed to develop effective interventions.

Citation

Srinivas, S. Health outcomes from child marriages in humanitarian settings. (Thesis). Keele University. https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/1109613

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Mar 21, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 21, 2025
• Public URL: https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/1109613
• Award Date: 2025-03