RURAL ADOLESCENTS’ VULNERABILITY TO EARLY MARRIAGE: A Community Nursing Perspective

Abstract

Early marriage among rural adolescents remains a significant public health issue affecting reproductive health, educational attainment, and the psychosocial well-being of adolescent girls. Rural adolescents’ vulnerability to early marriage is influenced by multiple factors, including knowledge level, family economic conditions, cultural values, and social environment. This study aimed to analyze the vulnerability of rural adolescents to early marriage from a community nursing perspective based on knowledge level, family economic status, cultural influences, and peer environment. A comparative quantitative study with a cross-sectional approach was conducted involving 69 respondents who experienced early marriage in rural areas. The sampling technique used was total sampling, and data were collected using structured questionnaires. Data analysis was performed using univariate and bivariate analyses with the Chi-square test at a significance level of p<0.05. The results revealed significant differences in knowledge level (p=0.012), cultural influence (p=0.018), and peer environment (p=0.021) based on family economic status. Adolescents from low-income families tended to have lower levels of knowledge, were more strongly influenced by cultural norms supporting early marriage, and experienced more negative peer environments. The findings indicate that early marriage among rural adolescents is a multidimensional phenomenon requiring comprehensive community nursing interventions through reproductive health education, family empowerment, culturally sensitive approaches, and strengthening peer education programs to prevent early marriage among adolescents.