Early marriage can cause the following health problems

The age limit for marriage in Indonesia which is regulated in Article 7 paragraph 1 of Law Number 1 of 1974, stipulates that the minimum age is 19 years for men and 16 years for women. Unfortunately, there are still many people who carry out early marriages under the age set by the government. This early marriage is prohibited because it can harm both partners mentally and physically. What are the dangers of early marriage for health?

What causes someone to marry early?

Early marriage, according to UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund), is still being carried out due to several factors. Factors that influence include:

1. Poverty
2. Low level of education
3. The assumption that getting married is a source of sustenance to get money
4. The assumption that getting married can protect the good name and honor of the family
5. Social norms
6. Follow customary and religious laws
7. The law of marriage is less strict

At the marriage of the bride and groom who are still teenagers, the one who is most disadvantaged is the woman. The reason is, this early marriage will sacrifice the physical or mental development of a woman. Pregnant too young and dropping out of school can limit a woman's opportunities for careers. Early marriage also increases the risk of domestic violence.

Danger in terms of physical health

Getting pregnant at a very young age can increase health risks for women and their babies. This is because the body is not ready for pregnancy and childbirth. Those of you who are very young are still experiencing growth and development, so if you are pregnant, your body's growth and development will be disrupted. Generally, there are four pregnancy conditions that often arise due to early marriage, namely:

1. High blood pressure

Pregnant at a very young age has a high risk of rising blood pressure. A person can suffer from preeclampsia, which is characterized by high blood pressure, the presence of protein in the urine, and other signs of organ damage. Medication must be done to control blood pressure and prevent complications, but at the same time this can also interfere with the growth of the baby in the womb.

2. Anemia

Pregnancy in adolescence can also cause anemia during pregnancy. This anemia is caused due to a lack of iron consumed by pregnant women. That is why, to prevent this, pregnant women are advised to routinely consume blood plus tablets at least 90 tablets during pregnancy.

Anemia during pregnancy can increase the risk of premature birth and difficulties with childbirth. Severe anemia during pregnancy can also have an impact on the development of the baby in the womb.

3. Babies born prematurely and LBW

The incidence of preterm babies increases in pregnancy at a very young age. These premature babies generally have low birth weight (LBW) because in fact they are not ready to be born (at the age of less than 37 weeks of pregnancy). Premature babies are at risk for developing respiratory, digestive, vision, cognitive and other problems.

4. Mother dies during childbirth

According to the National Health Service, women under the age of 18 who become pregnant and give birth are at risk of dying during childbirth. The reason is, at this young age their bodies are not yet mature and physically ready to give birth. In addition, their pelvis which is narrow because it is not yet fully developed can also be the cause of the baby dying during birth.

There are many other health problems during pregnancy and childbirth in adolescence

Physically, the age of the child or adolescent who gives birth is at risk of dying during childbirth and is particularly vulnerable to pregnancy-related injuries, such as obstetric fistulas.

Not only that, married teenage women often face social pressure. One of them is whether you have succeeded in getting pregnant or not. Not infrequently this is also used as a means of proving self-fertility in the community.

In addition, if you marry an older husband, it can make it difficult for women to express their desire to have sex. Especially when you want to get satisfaction in having sex and plan to use family planning.

As a result, women are more likely to experience early pregnancies which can lead to various long-term health complications and in some cases even death.

Danger in terms of mental health

In general, cases of early marriage often disrupt a woman's mental or psychological health. One of the threats is that young women are vulnerable to becoming victims of domestic violence (KDRT) and they do not have the knowledge how to be free from this violence.

Domestic violence often occurs in early marriages because the two married couples are not mentally prepared to face the problems that arise. Apart from wives who experience violence, children in early marriages are also at risk of becoming victims of domestic violence.

It was found that children who became eye witnesses of cases of violence in their homes grew up with learning difficulties and had limited social skills. They also often exhibit naughty behavior or are at risk of suffering from depression, PTSD, or severe anxiety disorders.

Even worse, this impact will be felt most severely by children who are still very young. Research from UNICEF also shows that domestic violence is more common in homes with young children than children who are teenagers or older.

How do you prevent the dangers of early marriage?

To prevent health hazards due to early marriage, education can be one of the things that plays an important role. Education can broaden the horizons of children and young people and help convince them that getting married must take place at the right time and age. Getting married is not a compulsion and also not a way to be free from poverty.

Education is also solely not just for being smart in subjects. Education can broaden children's horizons so they can be skilled in life, develop careers, and have goals. Most importantly, education can provide information about the body and reproductive system yourself when you get married.