Adolescent marriage, maternity, and limited access to education in 106 countries: Bayesian analysis of prevalence, trend, and prediction

Abstract Effectively addressing issues related to adolescent children being out of school and vulnerable to harmful practices is essential for advancing SDG 3—5. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, trends, and future projections of adolescent child vulnerability. We analyzed data from 386 dat...

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Main Authors: Bayuh Asmamaw Hailu, Joseph Beyene
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-03-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-93893-7
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author Bayuh Asmamaw Hailu
Joseph Beyene
author_facet Bayuh Asmamaw Hailu
Joseph Beyene
author_sort Bayuh Asmamaw Hailu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Effectively addressing issues related to adolescent children being out of school and vulnerable to harmful practices is essential for advancing SDG 3—5. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, trends, and future projections of adolescent child vulnerability. We analyzed data from 386 datasets spanning 106 countries, encompassing 1,292,258 adolescent girls year 1990— 2023. Bayesian methods were employed to estimate prevalence, trends, and future projections. Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America & the Caribbean showed a high prevalence of child marriage and early childbirth. Overall, these indicators decreased from 1990 to 2023, but recent years have seen increases in some countries. Projections for 2025 to 2030 suggest that changes in rates will occur in some countries, while most are expected to remain stable. The disparities are in underscore ongoing public health challenges. These issues risk derailing progress towards SDG targets of eliminating harmful practices and ensuring universal access to quality education. Addressing these challenges demands coordinated efforts from countries and the global community to implement effective interventions and strategies.
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spelling doaj-art-4aac3ba74b7d45f7bc456c29733dfda72025-08-20T03:41:41ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-03-0115111110.1038/s41598-025-93893-7Adolescent marriage, maternity, and limited access to education in 106 countries: Bayesian analysis of prevalence, trend, and predictionBayuh Asmamaw Hailu0Joseph Beyene1Monitoring and Evaluation, Wollo UniversityDepartment of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster UniversityAbstract Effectively addressing issues related to adolescent children being out of school and vulnerable to harmful practices is essential for advancing SDG 3—5. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, trends, and future projections of adolescent child vulnerability. We analyzed data from 386 datasets spanning 106 countries, encompassing 1,292,258 adolescent girls year 1990— 2023. Bayesian methods were employed to estimate prevalence, trends, and future projections. Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America & the Caribbean showed a high prevalence of child marriage and early childbirth. Overall, these indicators decreased from 1990 to 2023, but recent years have seen increases in some countries. Projections for 2025 to 2030 suggest that changes in rates will occur in some countries, while most are expected to remain stable. The disparities are in underscore ongoing public health challenges. These issues risk derailing progress towards SDG targets of eliminating harmful practices and ensuring universal access to quality education. Addressing these challenges demands coordinated efforts from countries and the global community to implement effective interventions and strategies.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-93893-7Adolescent vulnerabilitiesChild marriageEarly childbirthSchool dropout ratesBayesian methodsSustainable development goals
spellingShingle Bayuh Asmamaw Hailu
Joseph Beyene
Adolescent marriage, maternity, and limited access to education in 106 countries: Bayesian analysis of prevalence, trend, and prediction
Scientific Reports
Adolescent vulnerabilities
Child marriage
Early childbirth
School dropout rates
Bayesian methods
Sustainable development goals
title Adolescent marriage, maternity, and limited access to education in 106 countries: Bayesian analysis of prevalence, trend, and prediction
title_full Adolescent marriage, maternity, and limited access to education in 106 countries: Bayesian analysis of prevalence, trend, and prediction
title_fullStr Adolescent marriage, maternity, and limited access to education in 106 countries: Bayesian analysis of prevalence, trend, and prediction
title_full_unstemmed Adolescent marriage, maternity, and limited access to education in 106 countries: Bayesian analysis of prevalence, trend, and prediction
title_short Adolescent marriage, maternity, and limited access to education in 106 countries: Bayesian analysis of prevalence, trend, and prediction
title_sort adolescent marriage maternity and limited access to education in 106 countries bayesian analysis of prevalence trend and prediction
topic Adolescent vulnerabilities
Child marriage
Early childbirth
School dropout rates
Bayesian methods
Sustainable development goals
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-93893-7
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