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Swain S, Kidman R, Breton E, Chihana R, Kohler HP. Intimate Partner Violence Predicts Child Marriage and Pregnancy Among Adolescents in Malawi. JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE 2024:8862605241270074. [PMID: 39223857 DOI: 10.1177/08862605241270074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
A sizeable literature has shown that child marriage is associated with an increased risk for intimate partner violence (IPV). However, this research has been cross-sectional, and the temporality of the association has not been investigated. Specifically, no study has yet examined whether IPV is a predictor of child marriage and adolescent pregnancy. This study uses prospective longitudinal data on a cohort of adolescent girls from the Malawi Longitudinal Study of Families and Health to evaluate whether IPV victimization predicts child marriage or adolescent pregnancy. Using survival models, we find that adolescent girls who experienced physical IPV (measured at survey baseline, in 2017-2018) are more likely to enter child marriages (measured at survey follow-up, in 2021) (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.7 [1.44, 5.08]). Experiencing sexual IPV is also significantly associated with adolescent pregnancy (HR = 1.97 [1.16, 3.33]). These findings indicate the need for greater intervention to ensure healthy adolescent relationships, as well as further research to understand how abusive relationships shape early transitions to adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonal Swain
- Stony Brook University (State University of New York), USA
| | - Rachel Kidman
- Stony Brook University (State University of New York), USA
| | | | - Rachel Chihana
- University of Malawi-College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi
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Mulubwa C, Zulu JM, Hurtig AK, Goicolea I. Being both a grandmother and a health worker: experiences of community-based health workers in addressing adolescents' sexual and reproductive health needs in rural Zambia. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:1228. [PMID: 38702694 PMCID: PMC11069181 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18685-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Community-based health workers (CBHWs) possess great potential to be the missing link between the community and the formal health system for improving adolescents' access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) information and services. Yet, their role in addressing adolescents' SRHR within the context of the community-based health system has received very little attention. This paper analyses how CBHWs experience and perceive their role in addressing adolescents' SRHR needs in rural Zambia, including the possible barriers, dilemmas, and opportunities that emerge as CBHWs work with adolescents. METHODS Between July and September 2019, we conducted 14 in-depth interviews with 14 community-based health workers recruited across 14 different communities in the central province of Zambia. The interviews were focused on eliciting their experiences and perceptions of providing sexual and reproductive health services to adolescents. Charmaz's grounded theory approach was used for the analysis. RESULTS We present the core category "being both a grandmother and a CBHW", which builds upon four categories: being educators about sexual and reproductive health; being service providers and a link to SRHR services; being advocates for adolescents' SRHR; and reporting sexual violence. These categories show that CBHWs adopt a dual role of being part of the community (as a grandmother) and part of the health system (as a professional CBHW), in order to create/maximise opportunities and navigate challenges. CONCLUSION Community-based health workers could be key actors providing context-specific comprehensive SRHR information and services that could span all the boundaries in the community-based health system. When addressing adolescents SRHR, playing dual roles of being both a grandmother and a professional CBHW were sometimes complimentary and at other times conflicting. Additional research is required to understand how to improve the role of CBHWs in addressing adolescents and young people's sexual and reproductive health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chama Mulubwa
- School of Public Health, University of Zambia, P.O. Box 50110, Lusaka, Zambia.
- Department of Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, Umeå, SE, Sweden.
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), P.O Box 34681, Lusaka, Zambia.
| | - Joseph Mumba Zulu
- School of Public Health, University of Zambia, P.O. Box 50110, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Anna-Karin Hurtig
- Department of Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, Umeå, SE, Sweden
| | - Isabel Goicolea
- Department of Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, Umeå, SE, Sweden
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Gutiérrez-García AI, Jiménez-Ruiz I, Siles-González J, Perpiñá-Galvañ J, Solano-Ruíz C. 'It's always difficult for women': an analysis of the life stories of sub-Saharan migrant women. J Biosoc Sci 2024; 56:376-390. [PMID: 37403587 DOI: 10.1017/s0021932023000135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to understand the perspectives of female residents of Spain from West Africa in terms of the factors that condition their lives. Pierre Bourdieu's theory and the model of intersectionality formed the framework we used to qualitatively analyse the life stories of these women, which was complemented with life lines. The results showed us that traditional practices such as female genital mutilation and forced marriage are part of the social habitus of this group and they relate to each other through the several types of violence that occurs throughout their lives. In addition, in reference to the African community, these women were no longer African, while in terms of the Spanish community, they did not seem Spanish. At a health, political, and social level, this knowledge can help us to understand this group and to create personalised targeted interventions for them.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ismael Jiménez-Ruiz
- Nursing Department, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
- Grupo de Investigación: Cuidados enfermeros avanzamos. Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria Pascual Parrilla, Murcia, Spain
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Greene ME, Edmeades J, Siddiqi M. Scope, range and effectiveness of interventions to address social norms to prevent and delay child marriage and empower adolescent girls: a systematic review. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e071275. [PMID: 38191259 PMCID: PMC10806698 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-071275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Harmful gender and social norms prescribe divergent opportunities for girls and boys and drive child marriage. This systematic review examines the scope, range and effectiveness of interventions to change social norms and delay child marriage. DESIGN We systematically assess the contributions made by interventions that work to shift norms to prevent child marriage or to limit its harmful consequences. Our analysis classifies each study's quality in evaluation and implementation design regarding shifting norms. DATA SOURCES We conducted a search of electronic databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, CINAHL Plus, Popline, Web of Science and Cochrane Library) and grey literature (targeted hand-searches of 15 key organisations and Google Scholar). ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Included interventions sought to change norms related to child marriage, were evaluated in experimental or quasi-experimental evaluations, collected data on age at marriage and norms/attitudes, and were published in English from January 2000 to September 2021. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS We used a standardised form to extract data from all eligible studies, and double-screened to validate coding and reporting. We classified the studies by low, medium and high quality for evaluation and risk of bias, and separately by the extent to which they addressed social norms. RESULTS Our assessment of the 12 eligible studies identified revealed little evidence of a systematic relationship between social norms related to marriage and changes in child marriage behaviours. We found stronger evidence of programme effect on child marriage outcomes than on social norms, though only a minority of studies found an effect for either. Studies that appeared effective in changing child marriage norms varied greatly in scale and extent of programming, and few attempted to identify the appropriate reference groups for measuring social norms. CONCLUSION The studies evaluated by our review provide only weak evidence on the impact of interventions on norms, and on the link between shifts in norms and marriage behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jeffrey Edmeades
- Avenir Health, Glastonbury, Connecticut, USA
- The Demographic and Health Surveys Program, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Manahil Siddiqi
- Department of Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Ajayi AI, Athero S, Muga W, Kabiru CW. Lived experiences of pregnant and parenting adolescents in Africa: A scoping review. Reprod Health 2023; 20:113. [PMID: 37537592 PMCID: PMC10401816 DOI: 10.1186/s12978-023-01654-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have not synthesized existing literature on the lived experiences of pregnant and parenting adolescents (aged 10-19) in Africa. Such evidence synthesis is needed to inform policies, programs, and future research to improve the well-being of the millions of pregnant or parenting adolescents in the region. Our study fills this gap by reviewing the literature on pregnant and parenting adolescents in Africa. We mapped existing research in terms of their substantive focus, and geographical distribution. We synthesized these studies based on thematic focus and identified gaps for future research. METHODS We used a three-step search strategy to find articles, theses, and technical reports reporting primary research published in English between January 2000 and June 2021 in PubMed, Jstor, AJOL, EBSCO Host, and Google Scholar. Three researchers screened all articles, including titles, abstracts, and full text, for eligibility. Relevant data were extracted using a template designed for the study. Overall, 116 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the study. Data were analyzed using descriptive and thematic analyses. RESULTS Research on pregnant and parenting adolescents is limited in volume and skewed to a few countries, with two-fifths of papers focusing on South Africa (41.4%). Most of the studies were African-led (81.9%), received no funding (60.3%), adopted qualitative designs (58.6%), and were published between 2016 and 2021 (48.3%). The studies highlighted how pregnancy initiates a cycle of social exclusion of girls with grave implications for their physical and mental health and social and economic well-being. Only 4.3% of the studies described an intervention. None of these studies employed a robust research design (e.g., randomized controlled trial) to assess the intervention's effectiveness. Adolescent mothers' experiences (26.7%) and their education (36.2%) were the most studied topics, while repeat pregnancy received the least research attention. CONCLUSION Research on issues affecting pregnant and parenting adolescents is still limited in scope and skewed geographically despite the large burden of adolescent childbearing in many African countries. While studies have documented how early pregnancy could result in girls' social and educational exclusion, few interventions to support pregnant and parenting adolescents exist. Further research to address these gaps is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Idowu Ajayi
- Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, New-Born, Child, and Adolescent Health (SRMNCAH) Unit, African Population and Health Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya.
| | - Sherine Athero
- Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, New-Born, Child, and Adolescent Health (SRMNCAH) Unit, African Population and Health Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Winstoun Muga
- Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, New-Born, Child, and Adolescent Health (SRMNCAH) Unit, African Population and Health Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Caroline W Kabiru
- Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, New-Born, Child, and Adolescent Health (SRMNCAH) Unit, African Population and Health Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya
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Greene ME, Siddiqi M, Abularrage TF. Systematic scoping review of interventions to prevent and respond to child marriage across Africa: progress, gaps and priorities. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e061315. [PMID: 37130688 PMCID: PMC10163461 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-061315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Despite the high prevalence of child marriage in Africa, little is known about the current state of the evidence on interventions to prevent and respond to child marriage in the region. The objectives of this systematic scoping review are to describe the breadth of existing evidence on child marriage prevention and response interventions, analyze where these interventions have been implemented, and identify research gaps and priorities for moving forward. METHODS The inclusion criteria incorporated publications that: (1) focused on Africa, (2) described interventions to address child marriage, (3) were published 2000-2021 and (4) were published as peer-reviewed articles or reports in English. We searched seven databases (PubMed, PsychINFO, Embase, Cinahl Plus, Popline, Web of Science and Cochrane Library), hand-searched the websites of 15 organisations and used Google Scholar to identify research published in 2021. Two authors independently screened titles and abstracts followed by full-text reviews and data extraction for included studies. RESULTS Our analysis of the 132 intervention studies identified highlights important disparities by intervention type, sub-region, and intervention activities, focus populations and impact. The greatest number of intervention studies focused on Eastern Africa. Health and empowerment approaches were most represented, followed by education and laws and policies. Norms or livelihoods approaches were least represented. CONCLUSION Our review finds few high-quality impact evaluations, most of which assess cash transfer programmes. There is a need to strengthen evaluative evidence on other intervention approaches including empowerment and norms change interventions, in particular. Given the linguistic and cultural diversity of the continent, more country-specific studies and research published in languages other than English are needed, particularly in high-prevalence Middle African countries.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Manahil Siddiqi
- Department of Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Tara F Abularrage
- Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York, USA
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Malunga G, Sangong S, Saah FI, Bain LE. Prevalence and factors associated with adolescent pregnancies in Zambia: a systematic review from 2000-2022. Arch Public Health 2023; 81:27. [PMID: 36805786 PMCID: PMC9940412 DOI: 10.1186/s13690-023-01045-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adolescent pregnancy increases risk of short- and long-term adverse social and health outcomes for the adolescent mother and child. Zambia has high prevalence rates of adolescent pregnancy. However, the risk factors are varied and in need of further review and research. The study accordingly reviewed the prevalence and factors associated with adolescent pregnancy in Zambia. METHODS This systematic review was conducted following the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The review included original peer-reviewed research articles published from 2000 onwards in English, retrieved from Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, and African Journals Online databases. Thematic synthesis was used in the analysis of the data extracted from the included studies. RESULTS Six research studies carried out in Zambia (two quantitative, two qualitative, and two mixed methods) were reviewed and included. Prevalence of adolescent pregnancy in Zambia ranged from 29 to 48%. Additionally, it was found that 29.1% of the country's adolescents, nationally, had given birth as of 2018. Factors at an individual's level such as early or child marriage, exposure to media, knowledge about sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and contraception, contraceptive use, as well as risky sexual behaviours were found to be significantly associated with adolescent pregnancy. Peer pressure, educational attainment, household wealth, and the power dynamics of the household head were identified as the major socio-economic factors alongside socio-cultural, gender and sexual norms amongst other environmental and contextual factors. Policy level factors identified were lack and limited access to SRH information and services by adolescents, including an enabling legal environment. CONCLUSION From the review, it was abundantly clear that a combination of individual, interpersonal, environmental, and an enabling legal/policy level factors significantly contribute to the high levels of adolescent pregnancy. There is a paucity of empirical research on the prevalence and determinants of adolescent pregnancy, which suggests an imperative need for large multi-site mixed methods studies to properly explore these and other determinants on a national scale, as well as the long-term implications of these pregnancies on adolescent mothers and babies. Multifaceted and multisectoral interventions which include improved access to education, economic empowerment, addressing gender and socio-cultural norms, should be implemented having due regard to the socio-cultural context which should ride on strong political will, failing which adolescent girls in Zambia will definitely be left behind.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gift Malunga
- United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, UN House, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Sidney Sangong
- ICAP Global Health, Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Farrukh Ishaque Saah
- School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Hohoe, Ghana. .,Global South Health Research and Services, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
| | - Luchuo Engelbert Bain
- Global South Health Research and Services, Amsterdam, Netherlands ,grid.36511.300000 0004 0420 4262Lincoln International Institute for Rural Health, College of Social Science, University of Lincoln, Lincolnshire, UK
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Sserwanja Q, Mwamba D, Poon P, Kim JH. Prevalence and Factors Associated with Risky Sexual Behaviors Among Sexually Active Female Adolescents in Zambia. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2023; 52:205-215. [PMID: 36036870 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-022-02385-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Despite decades long commitment to women's reproductive health rights, sexually transmitted diseases and unintended pregnancies continue to be major public health concerns in sub-Saharan Africa. In order to provide an evidence base for future policy and services, this study aims to explore the prevalence and factors associated with risky sexual behaviors (RSB) among sexually active Zambian female adolescents using a nationally representative sample. Data on females, aged 15-19 (n = 3000), were obtained from the 2018 Zambia Demographic and Health Survey, an interviewer-administered, nationally representative survey that used multistage sampling. The study conducted multiple logistic regression to explore the correlates of RSB. Of the 3000 respondents, 49.7% (1490) reported ever having sexual intercourse of which 71.1% reported engaging in RSB. Among sexually active female adolescents, the following RSB percentage were reported: intercourse before age 16 (50.6%), nonuse of condoms at last intercourse (37.8%), engaging in transactional sex (6.2%), alcohol use at last intercourse (4.6%), and multiple sexual partners (1.9%). Educational attainment and household wealth showed strong inverse trends with RSB risk and there were notably large geographic differences in RSB within Zambia (22.1% in Lusaka region vs. 62.4% in Western province). The multiple logistic regression results revealed that those who were younger, unmarried, with less than secondary education, without access to Internet, and residents of Western Zambia were significantly more likely to have engaged in RSB (AOR: 1.74-7.69, p < 0.05). Given the negative health outcomes associated with RSB, Zambian adolescent health care programs may strategically target limited resources to the identified risk groups.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel Mwamba
- Programs Department, Centre for Infectious Disease Research, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Paul Poon
- Center for Global Health, JC School of Public Health & Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 4/F School of Public Health & Primary Care #411, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jean H Kim
- Center for Global Health, JC School of Public Health & Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 4/F School of Public Health & Primary Care #411, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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Eyeberu A, Getachew T, Sertsu A, Sisay M, Baye Y, Debella A, Alemu A. Teenage pregnancy and its predictors in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Health Sci (Qassim) 2022; 16:47-60. [PMID: 36475034 PMCID: PMC9682880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Although teenage pregnancy has declined in the last decade, it remains a major public health issue in Africa. Maternal mortality is common among teenagers due to their increased risk of obstetric and medical complications. In Africa, there is a lack of robust and comprehensive data on the prevalence and predictors of teenage pregnancy. As a result, this systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out to summarize evidence that will assist concerned entities in identifying existing gaps and proposing strategies to reduce teenage pregnancy in Africa. Methods The review is registered by the international prospective register of systematic reviews (CRD42021275013). This search included all published and unpublished observational studies written in English between August 23, 2016, and August 23, 2021. The articles were searched using databases (PubMed, CINHAL [EBSCO], EMBASE, POPLINE, Google Scholar, DOAJ, Web of Sciences, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and SCOPUS). Data synthesis and statistical analysis were conducted using STATA version 14 software. Forest plots were used to present the pooled prevalence and odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of meta-analysis using the random effect model. Results A total of 43,758 teenagers (aged 13-19) were included in 23 studies. In Africa, the overall pooled prevalence of teenage pregnancy was 30% (95% CI: 17-43). Western Africa had the highest prevalence of teenage pregnancy 33% (95% CI: 10-55). Age (18-19) (OR = 2.99 [95% CI = 1.124-7.927]), wealth index (OR = 1.84 [95% CI = 1.384-2.433]), and marital status (OR = 6.02 [95% CI = 2.348-15.43]) were predictors of teenage pregnancy in Africa. Conclusion In Africa, nearly one-third of teenagers become pregnant. Teenage pregnancy was predicted by age (18-19), wealth index, and marital status. Strengthening interventions aimed at increasing teenagers' economic independence, reducing child marriage, and increasing contraceptive use among married teenagers can help to prevent teenage pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Addis Eyeberu
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia
| | - Tamirat Getachew
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia
| | - Addisu Sertsu
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia
| | - Mekonnen Sisay
- School of Pharmacy, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia
| | - Yohannes Baye
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia
| | - Adera Debella
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia
| | - Addisu Alemu
- School of Public Health, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia
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Kok MC, van Eldik Z, Kakal T, Munthali A, Menon JA, Pires P, Baatsen P, van der Kwaak A. Being dragged into adulthood? Young people's agency concerning sex, relationships and marriage in Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia. CULTURE, HEALTH & SEXUALITY 2022; 24:767-781. [PMID: 33630727 DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2021.1881618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to explore how young people exercise agency in rural Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia in relation to sex, relationships and marriage, to inform local programmes aiming to prevent teenage pregnancy and child marriage. In each country, focus group discussions with young people and parents, in-depth interviews with young people and a variety of other participants, and a household survey with young people (15-24 years) were conducted. We found that (child) marriage was often a response to teenage pregnancy, which was highly prevalent in all study areas. Young people's aspirations to enter adulthood were influenced by their life circumstances. Initiation ceremonies symbolised the transition to adulthood and gave social endorsement to young people to start engaging in (often unprotected) sexual activity. Given the uncertain socio-economic context, resource constraints led families to marry off their daughters; or girls themselves to marry early to relieve the burden on their families, but also to get pregnant as a 'next step' towards adulthood. Transactional sex was common. These intersecting cultural, social and economic contextual factors constrained young women's agency, more as compared to young men. However, young women did manoeuvre within contextual constraints to exercise a degree of agency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryse C Kok
- KIT Royal Tropical Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Zoe van Eldik
- KIT Royal Tropical Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Tasneem Kakal
- KIT Royal Tropical Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - J Anitha Menon
- Department of Psychology, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Paulo Pires
- Faculdade de Ciências de Saúde, Universidade Lúrio, Nampula, Mozambique
| | - Pam Baatsen
- KIT Royal Tropical Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Analyse des dimensions d’influence de la grossesse chez les adolescentes de 13 à 19 ans dans les départements du Nord et du Nord-Est d’Haïti. SEXOLOGIES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sexol.2022.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Psaki SR, Melnikas AJ, Haque E, Saul G, Misunas C, Patel SK, Ngo T, Amin S. What Are the Drivers of Child Marriage? A Conceptual Framework to Guide Policies and Programs. J Adolesc Health 2021; 69:S13-S22. [PMID: 34809895 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The child marriage field lacks a simplified framework that connects an understanding of the drivers of child marriage for girls to decisions about the design of interventions to delay marriage within different contexts and support married girls. METHODS We reviewed existing child marriage frameworks and conducted consultations with experts working on child marriage. We then developed a simplified conceptual framework describing the key drivers of child marriage for girls. We explored how these drivers play out and interact using qualitative data from three settings where child marriage is common: Bangladesh, Malawi, and Niger. RESULTS The final conceptual framework lays out five core drivers of child marriage for girls, which vary and interact across contexts. Social norms and poverty are shown as core drivers that underlie lack of agency, lack of opportunity, and pregnancy/fear of pregnancy. These drivers reflect community, household, and individual-level factors. The case studies highlight the important relationships between these drivers, and the way they interact within each context. We use these examples to explore how policymakers and practitioners might identify the most appropriate interventions to address child marriage across different settings. CONCLUSIONS We offer this framework as a starting point to guide more targeted interventions and policies that address the complex combination of child marriage drivers within each setting. By adapting this framework to different settings, those designing and implementing child marriage prevention interventions can identify the key drivers in each setting, understand how those drivers interact, and more effectively target effective interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrea J Melnikas
- Poverty, Gender and Youth Program, Population Council, New York, New York
| | | | - Grace Saul
- Poverty, Gender and Youth Program, Population Council, New York, New York
| | | | | | - Thoai Ngo
- GIRL Center, Population Council, New York, New York; Poverty, Gender and Youth Program, Population Council, New York, New York
| | - Sajeda Amin
- Poverty, Gender and Youth Program, Population Council, New York, New York
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Zahra F, Austrian K, Gundi M, Psaki S, Ngo T. Drivers of Marriage and Health Outcomes Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women: Evidence From Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. J Adolesc Health 2021; 69:S31-S38. [PMID: 34809897 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Previous studies have examined the relationship between age at marriage and health outcomes, but few have explored how marriage drivers are associated with health outcomes. In this study, we examine the relationship between two marriage drivers, premarital pregnancy and agency, and several health outcomes (use of maternal health care services, child health outcomes, and change in depressive symptoms) among married adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. METHODS We use three panel data sets collected by the Population Council: the Adolescent Girls Empowerment Program from Zambia (N = 660), the Malawi Schooling and Adolescent Study from Malawi (N = 1,041), and Understanding the Lives of Adolescents and Young Adults from India (N = 894 in Bihar, N = 599 in Uttar Pradesh). Our analytical models use logistic and multinomial logistic regression. RESULTS We find mixed evidence of the association between marriage drivers and health outcomes. Results show that having agency in marital partner choice in India is associated with both an increase and decrease in reported depressive symptoms. In addition, pregnancy before marriage is associated with fewer antenatal visits and hospital-based births in Malawi than pregnancy after marriage. However, we find no evidence that it is associated with worse child health outcomes than pregnancy after marriage in Malawi and Zambia. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our study suggests that the relationship between marriage drivers and AGYW's health outcomes after marriage is not consistent across contexts. We highlight the importance of interpreting marriage drivers within prevailing norms to understand their impact on married AGYW's health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Zahra
- GIRL Center, Population Council, Washington, DC.
| | | | - Mukta Gundi
- Poverty, Gender, and Youth, Population Council, Delhi, India
| | - Stephanie Psaki
- GIRL Center, Population Council, Washington, DC; Social and Behavioral Science Research, Population Council, New York, NY
| | - Thoai Ngo
- Poverty, Gender, and Youth, Population Council, Delhi, India
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Wasswa R, Kabagenyi A, Kananura RM, Jehopio J, Rutaremwa G. Determinants of change in the inequality and associated predictors of teenage pregnancy in Uganda for the period 2006-2016: analysis of the Uganda Demographic and Health Surveys. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e053264. [PMID: 34753766 PMCID: PMC8578988 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-053264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Teenage pregnancy has become a public health concern in Uganda because of its negative consequences to both the mother and child. The objective of this study was to examine the determinants of change in the inequality and associated predictors of teenage pregnancy in Uganda for the period 2006-2016. STUDY DESIGN A retrospective national cross-sectional study. SETTING: Uganda. PARTICIPANTS Uganda Demographic and Health Survey secondary data of only female teenagers aged 15-19 years. The samples selected for analyses were 1936 in 2006; 2048 in 2011 and 4264 in 2016. OUTCOME MEASURE The primary outcome was teenage pregnancy. Analysis was performed using the logistic regression, equiplots, concentration curve, normalised concentration index, decomposition of the concentration index and Oaxaca-type decomposition. RESULTS The prevalence of teenage pregnancy has seemingly remained high and almost constant from 2006 to 2016 with the risk worsening to the disadvantage of the poor. Household wealth-index, teenagers' years of education, early sexual debut and child marriage were the main key predictors and contributors of the large inequality in teenage pregnancy from 2006 to 2016. CONCLUSION Teenage pregnancy is disproportionately prevalent among different subpopulations of adolescent girls in Uganda. We therefore recommend policy actions to sensitise communities and enforcement of child rights and child protection laws to stop child marriages. There is also need to promote girl child education, improving household incomes, and intensifying mass media awareness on the risks of early pregnancies. Further, ensuring that villages have operational adolescent and youth friendly services as well as incorporating sex education and other different adolescent reproductive health programmes in school curriculum will be key measures in reducing the large inequality in teenage pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald Wasswa
- Department of Statistical Methods and Actuarial Science, Makerere University College of Business and Management Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Allen Kabagenyi
- Department of Population Studies, Makerere University College of Business and Management Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Rornald Muhumuza Kananura
- International Development, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK
- Department of Health Policy Planning and Management, Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Joseph Jehopio
- Department of Statistical Methods and Actuarial Science, Makerere University College of Business and Management Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Gideon Rutaremwa
- United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Zahra F, Kidman R, Kohler HP. Social Norms, Agency, and Marriage Aspirations in Malawi. JOURNAL OF MARRIAGE AND THE FAMILY 2021; 83:1332-1348. [PMID: 34924601 PMCID: PMC8680532 DOI: 10.1111/jomf.12780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We evaluate whether community norms, caregiver beliefs, and adolescents' own beliefs and perceptions, focused on early marriage, predict adolescent marriage aspirations in a low-income context. BACKGROUND The processes that contribute to adolescent marriage aspiration formation have received little attention in low-income contexts, particularly sub-Saharan Africa. Understanding how marriage aspirations are formed is important because they are associated with critical education and health outcomes. METHOD Using data that links Malawian adolescents (N=2,089) with their caregivers (N=1,452), we analyze gender stratified ordered logistic regression models to examine key relationships. RESULTS We show that community norms for youngest acceptable marriage age predict when boys want to marry, but do not find conclusive evidence that they predict when girls want to marry. We also show that adolescents who believe it is acceptable to marry at an early age are more likely to want to marry early themselves. CONCLUSION Both community norms and adolescents' own beliefs are central to the formation of their marriage aspirations. IMPLICATIONS We recommend that programs incorporate adolescent beliefs and perceptions when designing child marriage interventions and measuring their impact. We also recommend theory-driven measurement of community norms to better evaluate their impact on both marriage aspirations and marriage age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Zahra
- The Population Council, 4301 Connecticut Ave NW # 280, Washington, DC 20008
| | - Rachel Kidman
- Program in Public Health, 101 Nicolls Road, Health Sciences Center, Stony Brook Medicine, Stony Brook, NY 11794
| | - Hans-Peter Kohler
- 3718 Locust Walk, McNeil Building, Ste. 353, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
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Svanemyr J, Moland KM, Blystad A, Zulu JM, Sandøy I. Norms and sexual relations among adolescents in the context of an intervention trial in rural Zambia. Glob Public Health 2021; 17:1652-1664. [PMID: 34193012 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2021.1947343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
High levels of adolescent pregnancy and child marriage rates in low- and middle-income countries is an issue of concern to many stakeholders, including in Zambia where almost one-third of women give birth before age 18. The aim of this paper is to explore and analyse social norms concerning adolescents' sexual behaviour within the context of an intervention trial in rural communities in southern Zambia. It is based on a qualitative study applying individual interviews, focus group discussions and participatory research methods. We apply the distinction between injunctive and descriptive norms to demonstrate that adolescent girls are caught between conflicting norms. Injunctive norms express that premarital sex, contraceptive use, and discussions about sex between adults and youths are socially condemned. At the same time poor girls are reported to feel pressure towards having sexual relations for the economic benefits such relations can bring, and this practice is considered so common that it amounts to a descriptive norm. Norms and structural conditions combine to create a disabling and disempowering environment for adolescent sexual and reproductive health, which limits girls' agency and exposes them to unwanted pregnancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joar Svanemyr
- Chr. Michelsen Institute, Bergen, Norway.,Centre for Intervention Science in Maternal and Child Health (CISMAC), University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Karen-Marie Moland
- Centre for Intervention Science in Maternal and Child Health (CISMAC), University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Astrid Blystad
- Centre for Intervention Science in Maternal and Child Health (CISMAC), University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Joseph M Zulu
- School of Public Health, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Ingvild Sandøy
- Centre for Intervention Science in Maternal and Child Health (CISMAC), University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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Surgical Outcomes after Myelomeningocele Repair in Lusaka, Zambia. World Neurosurg 2020; 145:e332-e339. [PMID: 33091647 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2020.10.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Spina bifida disproportionally affects low-and-middle-income countries. We describe myelomeningocele surgical outcomes in Zambia and predictors of postoperative complications and mortality. METHODS This 2-center retrospective cohort study includes children who underwent surgical treatment for myelomeningocele in Lusaka, Zambia from 2017 to 2019. Primary outcomes included mortality and 30-day postoperative complications. RESULTS Seventy-five patients were identified. Median age at first neurosurgical evaluation was 9 days (interquartile range [IQR], 6-21) and at surgery was 21 days (IQR 15-36). Lumbosacral myelomeningocele was most common (73%, n = 54). At first preoperative evaluation, 28% of the neural tube defects were deemed infected (n = 21), and 30% were leaking cerebrospinal fluid (n = 21). Postoperatively, 7% of patients died (n = 5), whereas 31% experienced a complication (n = 23). Most common complications included wound dehiscence (n = 10, 42%) and wound purulence (n = 6, 25%). Median follow-up duration was 41 days (IQR, 6-128). On univariable analysis, mortality was significantly associated with shorter follow-up duration (5 days [IQR, 2-7] vs. 46 days [IQR, 12-132]; P = 0.02) and any complication (P < 0.001). No variable was significantly associated with postoperative complication; however, 2 variables that notably neared significance were preoperative infection of the lesion (P = 0.05) and longer surgical delay (P = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS Most patients born with myelomeningocele in Zambia present for first neurosurgical evaluation after 1 week of age. Preoperative infection of the lesion and postoperative complications are relatively common, and complications are a significant predictor of postoperative mortality. Further investigation into preoperative efforts to mitigate risk of postoperative complications and mortality is warranted.
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Lasong J, Zhang Y, Gebremedhin SA, Opoku S, Abaidoo CS, Mkandawire T, Zhao K, Zhang H. Determinants of modern contraceptive use among married women of reproductive age: a cross-sectional study in rural Zambia. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e030980. [PMID: 32234737 PMCID: PMC7170561 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-030980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Zambia is among the world's top 10 countries with higher fertility rate (5.5 births/woman); unmet family planning need for births spacing (14%) and limiting births (7%). Women in rural Zambia (24%) are reported to have unmet need for family planning than those in urban areas (17%). This study was conducted to ascertain factors associated with modern contraceptive use among rural Zambian women. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING Rural Zambia. PARTICIPANTS Secondary data of 4903 married or cohabiting rural women (15-49 years) after filtering out the pregnant, urban based and unmarried women from 2013 to 2014 Zambian Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS) were analysed using SPSS V.22. Multiple logistic regression, Pearson's χ2 and descriptive statistics were performed to examine factors associated with modern contraceptive use. RESULTS Factors that were positively associated with contraceptive use were respondent's education (secondary adjusted ORs (AOR = 1.61, p≤0.002); higher (AOR = 2.39, p≤0.050)), wealth index (middle class, (AOR = 1.35, p≤0.005); rich (AOR = 2.04, p≤0.001) and richest (AOR = 1.95, p≤0.034)), high parity (1-2 (AOR = 5.31, p≤0.001); 3-4 (AOR = 7.06, p≤0.001); 5+ (AOR = 8.02, p≤0.001)), men older than women by <10 years (AOR = 1.50, p≤0.026) and women sensitised about family planning at health facility (AOR = 1.73, p≤0.001). However, old age (40-49 years (AOR = 0.49, p≤0.001)), other religions (Protestants, African traditionalists and Muslims) (AOR = 0.77, p≤0.007), ever had pregnancy miscarried, aborted or stillbirth (AOR = 0.78, p≤0.026) and women without knowledge of number of children husband desires (AOR = 0.71, p≤0.001) were negatively associated with contraceptive use. CONCLUSION Modern contraceptive use in rural Zambia among currently married women of reproductive age group is relatively low (43%). We recommend that appropriate interventions are instituted to increase contraceptive access and use especially among uneducated older rural Zambian women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Lasong
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Simon Afewerki Gebremedhin
- Public Health School, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Sampson Opoku
- Department of Social Health Management, School of Public Health, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Tongji Medical College, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Chrissie Stansie Abaidoo
- Department of Anatomy, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ashanti, Ghana
| | - Tamara Mkandawire
- Public Health School, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Kai Zhao
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Huiping Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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