Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42051378›Full record

ReviewPublic health challenges2026

Child Brides in Africa: A Narrative Review on Effects, Gaps, and Interventions.

Olaoye Damilola Quazeem, Onaho Pascal Oghenekaro, Durojaye Aishat Bisoye, Okoro Chidinma Peace, Akindele Folasade Diana, Aina Jesutosin Oluwadara, Dibia Ermesto Oluwafemi

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Public health challenges, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Olaoye Damilola QuazeemAces Africa Serrekunda Western The Gambia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2846-3835
Onaho Pascal OghenekaroAces Africa Serrekunda Western The Gambia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0002-8200-3426
Durojaye Aishat BisoyeAces Africa Serrekunda Western The Gambia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1805-574X
Okoro Chidinma PeaceAces Africa Serrekunda Western The Gambia.
Akindele Folasade DianaAces Africa Serrekunda Western The Gambia.
Aina Jesutosin OluwadaraAces Africa Serrekunda Western The Gambia.
Dibia Ermesto OluwafemiUniversity of Ibadan Ibadan Nigeria.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6247-5840

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Child marriage, defined as the union of a child under 18 years with an adult or another child, remains a pervasive issue globally, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite international efforts to eradicate this practice, approximately 15 million girls marry before 18 annually, infringing on their basic human rights and leading to severe health, educational, and social consequences. This narrative review focuses on the high prevalence and complex causes of child marriage in sub-Saharan Africa, especially in Nigeria, Mali, Guinea, Chad, and Niger, where cultural, economic, and societal factors sustain this harmful practice. Using databases such as Medline, PubMed, PubMed Central, and Google Scholar, alongside grey literature, to understand the prevalence, causes, and impacts of child marriage in Africa, findings highlight that child marriage leads to significant health risks, including increased maternal and infant mortality, mental health issues, and limited educational and economic opportunities for young girls. The review also examines various interventions, including legal reforms, educational programs, economic incentives, and health initiatives, that have been implemented to address this issue. Successful case studies from Ethiopia and Nigeria illustrate the potential of targeted interventions to reduce the prevalence of child marriage and improve the lives of young girls. The study underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies that address the root causes of child marriage and promote gender equality. Recommendations include strengthening legal frameworks, increasing access to education and economic opportunities for girls, and enhancing community awareness and engagement to shift cultural norms. By highlighting the multifaceted nature of child marriage and showcasing effective intervention programs, this research aims to inform policymakers, stakeholders, and communities about the critical need to eradicate this practice and safeguard the rights and well-being of young African girls.

Indexed as

Africachild marriagecultural normsgender equalityNigeriasub‐Saharan AfricaSustainable Development Goals

Identifiers

PMID42051378
PMCPMC13116178

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.