Early marriage and its relationship with child development Sanjaya Ayling1, Narendra Moersintowarti B.2, Irwanto2, Suryawan Ahmad2, Irmawati Mira2, Efendi Ferry3,* 1Faculty of Medicine, Wijaya Kusuma University, Surabaya 2Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 3Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya *Corresponding Author: Ferry Efendi Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya Email: ferry-e@fkp.unair.ac.id
Online published on 25 September, 2018. Abstract Background Early marriage is still a problem in the world, especially in developing countries including Indonesia. The problem of early marriage in Indonesia takes place both in urban and rural areas with diverse population economic status. Objective This study aimed to analyze the relationship between early marriage and child development. Method This study used a cross-sectional approach design. The independent variable in this research was early marriage, while the dependent variable in this research was the development of the child. The population in this research was all toddlers residing in a region of Situbondo Regency. The total sample was 67 respondents who got married when 18 years old or younger. Data were collected through questionnaires and measurements of height, weight, and nutritional status and progress was assessed through interviews and the Denver Development Screening Test (DDST) II. Data were analyzed with the Pearson correlation test with p < 0.05. Results Early marriage has no association with child growth but it has a relationship with child development. In this study there was a significant relationship found between early marriage of the mother and child development (p < 0.001). The risk of a child experiencing developmental disorders when the mother marries early was found to be 62 times compared to mothers who married at an early age. Conclusion Early marriage does not cause growth disorders of children, but early marriage has the potential to cause delay in child development. Early childbirth does not cause growth disorders of children. Women who experienced early childbirth might cause general developmental delays in children. Top Keywords Early marriage childhood, child development, child growth. Top |