FACTORS AFFECTING EARLY MARRIAGE AMONG FEMALE ADOLESCENTS IN ABUDWAK DISTRICT OF GALMUDUG STATE, SOMALIA

Abstract

This descriptive study examined the factors affecting early marriage among female adolescents in Abudwak District of Galmudug State, Somalia. The majority of respondents, 61 (40.7%), were between 16 and 17 years of age, and the majority, 88 (58.7%), were married. The findings also showed that the majority, 63 (42%), had not attained any level of formal education, while the majority, 81 (54%), received support from their parents. Among the 150 respondents, the majority, 69 (46%), lacked family bonding. The results of the study showed a significant relationship between the respondents’ socio-demographic profile and the factors associated with early marriage among female adolescents. The study recommends enhancing programs that engage communities and families to change attitudes, behaviors, and gender norms; such programs should encourage communities to discuss the underlying factors that support child marriage, establish committees to end child marriage, and improve communication between parents and children. Families should also be encouraged to support and adopt a positive parenting approach toward adolescent girls at home. Furthermore, the study recommends expanding and investing heavily in access to formal education at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels by offering financial incentives to disadvantaged girls in order to reduce the dropout rates that accelerate early marriage, and introducing micro-enterprise empowerment and skill-based programs to equip young girls economically and reduce unemployment. This information material can be used to enhance knowledge and reduce the problems associated with early marriage. It is recommended that the Ministry of Health conduct regular lectures and seminars on the effects of early marriage, and that further studies be conducted to assess the state of teenage pregnancy in Somalia.