Citation

Loutet MG, Logie CH, Okumu M, Berry I, Lukone SO, Kisubi N, McAlpine A, Mwima S, Kyambadde P. Afr. J. Reprod. Health 2022; 26(12s): 66-77.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Women's Health and Action Research Centre, Nigeria)

DOI

10.29063/ajrh2022/v26i12s.8

PMID

37585162

Abstract

Preventing early and forced marriage is a global priority, however, sexual and reproductive health (SRH) among youth remains understudied in humanitarian settings. This study examined child, early and forced marriage and partnership (CEFMP) among young refugees in Bidi Bidi refugee settlement, Uganda, and associations with SRH outcomes among young women. This mixed-methods study involved a qualitative phase with young (16-24 years) sexual violence survivors (n=58), elders (n=8) and healthcare providers (n=10), followed by a quantitative phase among refugee youth (16-24 years; n=120) during which sociodemographic and SRH data were collected. We examined SRH outcome differences by CEFMP using Fisher's exact test. Qualitative data showed that CEFMP was a significant problem facing refugee young women driven by stigma, gender norms and poverty. Among youth refugee survey participants, nearly one-third (31.7%) experienced CEFMP (57.9% women, 42.1% men). Among women in CEFMP compared to those who were not, a significantly higher proportion reported forced pregnancy (50.0% vs. 18.4%, p-value=0.018), forced abortion (45.4% vs. 7.0%, p-value=0.002), and missed school due to sexual violence (94.7% vs. 63.0%, p-value=0.016). This study illustrates the need for innovative community-engaged interventions to end CEFMP in humanitarian contexts in order to achieve sexual and reproductive health and rights for youth.

Language: en

Keywords

Adolescent; Humans; Female; Male; adolescent; Young Adult; Marriage; Pregnancy; Uganda; Refugee; Sexual Behavior; *Refugees; child marriage; early marriage; forced marriage; Reproductive Health