Andhra Pradesh Hit By Child Marriage Menace

The menace of Child Marriage reached at alarming level in Andhra Pradesh as it registered 32. 3 per cent. It was highest against the national average of 24.9 per cent in the country.

The official statistics says, Rajasthan registered the highest number of Child Marriages at 40. 8 per cent followed by Bihar ( 39.6), Madhya Pradesh ( 34.1) and Jharkhand reported 32. 9 percent. Andhra Pradesh stood fifth position in child marriages in the country.

In Guntur district alone, 54 per cent child marriages were reported and the UNICEF already warned the government. Most of the deliveries by minor girls were registered from Palnadu area in the district.

In a field survey conducted by a group of doctors from King George Hospital in Visakhapatnam, it was disclosed that 20 percent (40) of 200 women admitted for delivery were below 16 years and some of them also came for second delivery between 18 and 19 years.

Besides, the minor girls were facing health complications post delivery. 65 per cent of the teenage mothers were suffering from Anemia, 24 percent pregnancy induced hypertension and 11 per cent suffered by abortions. Children born to these mothers are also facing health ailments.

The survey head Professor R Nageshwara Rao said 66 percent infants born to minor girls were reported low weight and 33 per cent deliveries are reported as pre- term delivery in Andhra.

The health officials said parent of the poor families were performing minor marriages to thier teenage daughters unable to cope with increased financial burden to cater the needs.