Determinants of Early Marriage and Its Affect on Depression: A Population-based Study 

Background: Early Marriage (EM) has defined as a marriage or union between two people when one or both are below 18. EM has serious side effects on psychological well-being and increases the probability of depression risk in the future. In Iran, EM predictors and the risk of depression among married people are poorly understood. Methods: A community-based descriptive-analytic study was conducted among the married general population in Malekan County. Stratified random sampling was performed. The face-to-face interviews and Beck depression inventory scale II were used by trained interviews. Multiple logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence interval the association between EM and predictor factors. Results: A total of 402 married participated in the study. The prevalence rate of EM was found 87 (21.64%). Out of 87 EM people, 80% were female. Almost 60% and 46.4% of EM and non-EM respondents had depressive symptoms, respectively. In the final analysis, EM was increased risk of depression (AOR=1.60; 95% CI: 1.2 – 2.72). Moreover, educational level of parents (AOR=5.53; 95% CI: 2.14 – 17.22), educational level of participants, (AOR=4.27; 95% CI: 1.28 – 14.35), female (AOR=2.43; 95% CI: 1.32 – 4.46), and family income (AOR=2.74; 95% CI: 1.00 – 7.84), were found significant predictors of EM. Conclusion: The educational level of married people and their parents are strong predictors of EM. Furthermore, EM affects depressive symptoms in the future. A general policy with inter-sectoral collaborations and increasing health literacy and effective training programs are imperative to reduce EM rates.