Study Overview

This study will establish a cohort of newlywed couples (first marriage ever within ≤ 6 months) in three surveillance sites of icddr,b: Chakaria, Matlab, and Dhaka. In each site, 100-150 couples will be enrolled and followed-up for 24 months. Both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection will be utilized to understand the situation, context and needs related to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) among the newlywed couples in rural and urban Bangladesh. Specific objectives of this study is: • To explore the coping strategies adopted by the newlywed couples after marriage • To investigate the pattern of change in their marital relationships over time • To find out the decision-making process and consequences of early marriage among the newlywed females • To identify the determinants of contraceptive method choice and use among the newlywed couples • To determine the factors influencing fertility preferences among the newlywed couples and assess the association between women empowerment and fertility preferences • To estimate the prevalence of STI/RTI among the newlywed couples and explore their care-seeking behaviour for STI/RTI • To measure the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) and identify the determinants of IPV among the newlywed couples • To examine the sexual vulnerability of the newlywed females.