The Impact of Child Marriage on Utilization of Maternal Health Care Services in India: Evidence From a Nationally Representative Cross-Sectional Survey

Pintu Paul , Jawaharlal Nehru University

This paper aims to examine the association between child marriage and utilization of maternal health care services using the data from the fourth round of National Family Health Survey (2015-16). The results of the study reveal that women who married below 18 years were significantly less likely to have at least four ANC (aOR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.777 – 0.873), ANC within first three months of pregnancy (aOR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.765 – 0.867), institutional delivery (aOR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.692 – 0.794), delivery by skilled health personnel (aOR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.717 – 0.826), and postnatal check-ups within six weeks after delivery (aOR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.752 – 840) than those married at 18 years or later after accounting for relevant socio-demographic characteristics. This study suggests an increase in age at marriage which may have positive impact on the use of maternal health care services that eventually reduces the risk of maternal morbidity and mortality.

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 Presented in Session 5. Health & Mortality 1