Distribution and determinants of early marriage and motherhood: a multilevel and geospatial analysis of 707 districts in India.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Early marriage and motherhood have long been prevalent in India, with 44.5% of women aged 20-24 reporting marriage before 18 in NFHS 3 (2005-2006), dropping to 26.8% in NFHS 4 (2015-2016). Early motherhood has also seen a significant decline, with first births by age 18 decreasing from 34.3% in NFHS I to 8.2% in NFHS V. Despite these improvements, significant regional disparities persist due to social, normative, and legal factors. This study investigates the spatial heterogeneity of early marriage and motherhood across Indian districts, offering a multilevel analysis that reveals critical local variations often obscured at broader levels. Understanding these patterns is crucial for targeted policy interventions and addressing the root causes of early marriage and mother

SUBMITTER: Singh M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11481474 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature