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Pourtaheri A, Mahdizadeh M, Tehrani H, Jamali J, Peyman N. Socio-ecological factors of girl child marriage: a meta-synthesis of qualitative research. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:428. [PMID: 38341573 PMCID: PMC10858465 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17626-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Child marriage of girls is one example of human rights violations, and is increasingly recognized as a key obstacle to global public health. Given the importance of a comprehensive understanding of the motivations for child marriage, this study aimed to identify socio-ecological factors contributing to gills child marriage. METHODS A comprehensive search was conducted of all English-language studies measuring causes of child marriage between 2000 and October 2022 in the Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, PsycInfo, ProQuest, Poplin and Google Scholar databases. Girl child marriage is defined as a marriage under the age of 18. In this study, the CASP evaluation checklist was used to collect data. Two independent reviewers reviewed all articles. RESULTS A total of 34 eligible qualitative articles were included. The most salient causes of child marriage among girls include low skills and knowledge, internal and external beliefs and motivations, and physical advantages at the individual level. Family characteristics and structure contribute to child marriage at the interpersonal level, while environmental and economic factors play a role at the community level. Social factors and cultural norms, as well as the shortcomings and weaknesses of legislation, are also contributing factors at the society level. CONCLUSION The results showed that cultural beliefs supporting gender inequality and economic status were the most important causes of child marriage. These results can help policymakers and decision-makers implement strategies to reduce gender inequality to prevent child marriage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asma Pourtaheri
- Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Health Education and Health Promotion, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mehrsadat Mahdizadeh
- Department of Health Education and Health Promotion, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hadi Tehrani
- Department of Health Education and Health Promotion, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Jamshid Jamali
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Nooshin Peyman
- Department of Health Education and Health Promotion, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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Mengzhen L, Lim DHJ, Berezina E, Benjamin J. Navigating Love in a Post-Pandemic World: Understanding Young Adults' Views on Short- and Long-Term Romantic Relationships. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2024; 53:497-510. [PMID: 37985563 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-023-02738-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
The uncertain future due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the technological advancements may have altered young adults' experiences of romantic relationships. It is unclear whether individuals will continue to prefer traditional long-term romantic relationships (LTRR) or opt for short-term ones (STRR). This research describes how young adults in Malaysia perceive LTRR and STRR. Using the structured approach of the theory of social representations, data were collected from 512 participants; 238 (46.48%) male; Mage 21.75; majority were heterosexual and students, and analyzed using prototypical analysis to reveal high consensus elements. Five observations were made: (1) females prioritize "love" in both STRR and LTRR, while males prioritize "love" only in LTRR; (2) females prioritize "marriage" in LTRR, while males prioritize "trust," "comfort," and "stability." Males do not consider "marriage" as part of a LTRR; (3) both males and females view STRR positively, while LTRR are viewed more practically; (4) "sex" is a core element in STRR but is absent in LTRR; (5) males differentiate between STRR and LTRR with no overlapping elements. These findings provide insight into the social representations of romantic relationships among young adults in Malaysia and suggest future directions for research in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lim Mengzhen
- Graduate School of Arts and Letters, Meiji University, 1-1 Kanda Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-8301, Japan.
- Psychological Studies Program, Temple University, Tokyo, Japan.
| | | | | | - Jaime Benjamin
- Department of Psychology, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
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Dadras O, Hazratzai M, Dadras F. The association of child marriage with morbidities and mortality among children under 5 years in Afghanistan: findings from a national survey. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:32. [PMID: 36604673 PMCID: PMC9817260 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-14977-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is still a gap in knowledge of the impact that child marriage could have on the mortality and morbidity of children in Afghanistan. This study used the data from the latest Afghanistan demographic health survey conducted in 2015 (ADHS) to address this gap and advance the current knowledge. METHODS A secondary analysis of the 2015 ADHS, including the births in the past 5 years to ever-married women aged 15-24 years old, was carried out. Logistic regression analyses were employed to examine the association of child marriage (< 18y) with morbidities (diarrhea, acute respiratory infection, and fever in the last 2 weeks), mortality (neonatal, infant, child), and size at birth among the children under 5 born to women aged 15-24 years, before and after adjusting for the effect of sociodemographic and structural inequalities. RESULTS Approximately two-thirds of births in the past 5 years belong to 15-24 years old mothers who married at ages < 18. The majority of them were born to mothers residing in rural areas (75.67%) with no education (51.68%) from poor households (39.39%). As compared to the births to women married at ages ≥ 18, there was a significantly higher likelihood of neonatal mortality among births to women married at ages < 18 (crude OR = 2.30, 95% CI: 1.52-3.49 & adjusted OR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.25-3.01) and higher infant mortality among the births to the women married at ages ≤ 14y (crude OR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.06-3.53). However, it disappeared for neonatal mortality after adjustment for adequacy of antenatal care (ANC) and infant mortality after adjustment for sociodemographic inequalities. CONCLUSION Although the births to women married as a child (< 18) were more likely to die at an early age, this association disappeared after adjustment for the adequacy of ANC. Given the unavoidable practice of child marriage in Afghanistan, this finding emphasizes the importance of providing adequate ANC for young brides to prevent child mortality. In addition, strong global advocacy is required to empower and support young Afghan women in negotiating their reproductive and maternity rights with their partners by reducing social and gender-based inequalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omid Dadras
- grid.7914.b0000 0004 1936 7443Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway ,grid.477239.c0000 0004 1754 9964Section Global Health and Rehabilitation, Høgskulen På Vestlandet (HVL), Bergen, Norway
| | - Mohammadsediq Hazratzai
- grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis (UC Davis), Davis, USA
| | - Fateme Dadras
- grid.411705.60000 0001 0166 0922Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Duru P, Başaran F, Örsal Ö. Reflections of the after processes in early and forced marriages: A meta-synthesis study. Perspect Psychiatr Care 2022; 58:1855-1864. [PMID: 34911143 DOI: 10.1111/ppc.12999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To develop analytical themes through a descriptive synthesis of qualitative studies to create a broader and more conscious understanding of after processes in early and forced marriages. METHODS This study is a meta-synthesis study. FINDINGS The analytical themes of the main theme "The process after early and forced marriages" were divided into four groups: cognitive, affective, behavioral, and cultural reflections. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Effective social norm interventions should be adapted to people's cognitive, affective, behavioral, and cultural understanding to change attitudes and practices toward early marriages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pınar Duru
- Department of Public Health Nursing, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey
| | - Fatma Başaran
- Department of Nursing, Agri Ibrahim Cecen University, Agri, Turkey
| | - Özlem Örsal
- Department of Public Health Nursing, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey
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Duru P, Başaran F, Örsal Ö. Reflections of the before processes in early and forced marriages: A meta-synthesis study. Perspect Psychiatr Care 2022; 58:3034-3043. [PMID: 34374089 DOI: 10.1111/ppc.12929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To develop analytical themes through a descriptive synthesis of qualitative studies to create a broader and more conscious understanding of the before processes in early and forced marriages. METHODS Twenty-five qualitative studies were analyzed and synthesized according to meta-synthesis methods. FINDINGS The analytical themes of the main theme "The process leading to early and forced marriages" were divided into four groups as cognitive, affective, behavioral, and cultural reflections. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS The study results emphasize the need to consider the links between cognitive, affective, behavioral, and cultural reflections of the process that led to marriages for preventing early and forced marriages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pınar Duru
- Department of Public Health Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey
| | - Fatma Başaran
- Department of Nursing, School of Health, Agri Ibrahim Cecen University, Agri, Turkey
| | - Özlem Örsal
- Department of Public Health Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey
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Shaheen A, Othman A, Hamdan K, Albqoor MA, Atoom MA, Langer A, Gausman J. Child Marriage in Relation to the Syrian Conflict: Jordanian and Syrian Adolescents' Perspectives. J Adolesc Health 2022; 70:S57-S63. [PMID: 35184833 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Although the average age of marriage has increased in many countries in the Middle East in recent years, child marriage is thought to become more common among certain populations in Jordan, notably the refugees. This study explores the perspectives of Jordanian and Syrian adolescents on child marriage in relation to the Syrian conflict as members of refugee populations and host communities. METHODS This study used data from in-depth interviews with 64 Jordanian and Syrian adolescents between the ages of 15 and 19 years. Interviews consisted of a narrative, flexible dialog in which participants discussed their life histories using the creation of a visual timeline as a tool. Data analysis was iterative, inductive, and based on the grounded theory approach. Themes were identified through ongoing interaction with the data. RESULTS Three major themes emerged from the data relating to child marriage: (1) the influence of intermingling between Syrian and Jordanian communities, (2) vulnerability and control interact to fuel increases in child marriage in displacement, and (3) finding agency by rejecting child marriage. CONCLUSIONS The Syrian conflict has changed practices relating to child marriage, fostering a renewed reliance on child marriage in light of increasing instability, leaving both Jordanian and Syrian adolescents increasingly vulnerable. Many adolescents reject the practice, thus offering an opportunity for social change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abeer Shaheen
- Department of Community Health Nursing, School of Nursing, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
| | - Areej Othman
- Department of Maternal and Child Health Nursing, School of Nursing, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Khaldoun Hamdan
- Department of Acute and chronic care nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman, Jordan
| | - Maha Alkaid Albqoor
- Department of Community Health Nursing, School of Nursing, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Maysoon Al Atoom
- Director, Center for Women's Studies, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Ana Langer
- Women & Health Initiative, Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jewel Gausman
- Women & Health Initiative, Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
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Tewahido D, Worku A, Tadesse AW, Gulema H, Berhane Y. Adolescent girls trapped in early marriage social norm in rural Ethiopia: A vignette-based qualitative exploration. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0263987. [PMID: 35176081 PMCID: PMC8853576 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Early marriage is not uncommon in Ethiopia, particularly for adolescent girls in rural settings. Social norms are among the factors believed to perpetuate early marriage practices. This qualitative study explores social norms surrounding adolescent girls’ marriage practices in West Hararghe, Ethiopia.
Methods
This study used the qualitative inquiry method to explore social norms in rural Ethiopia. Focus group discussions were conducted with purposively sampled married and unmarried adolescent girls, adolescent boys, and parents. A total of 158 individuals participated in the study, comprising 95 adolescents and 63 parents. Data were collected using locally developed vignettes. A thematic framework analysis approach using the Social Norms Analysis Plot (SNAP) was employed to diagnose and understand social norms.
Results
Adolescent girls’ marriage was found to be mainly influenced by their peers who conform to prevailing social norms. Marrying one’s first suitor was considered an opportunity not to be missed and a symbol of good luck. Relatives, neighbors, and marriage brokers facilitate adolescent girls’ marriage in accordance with the local social norms. Girls usually accept the first marriage proposal regardless of their age, and they are highly expected to do so by their peers, parents, and influential others. Exceptions from the early marriage social norm include adolescent girls determined to continue their education and those having supportive teachers.
Conclusions
In this study context, social norms strongly encourage early marriage and are mainly perpetuated by peers of adolescent girls and influential adults. A strong determination to continue education on the part of girls, strong school performance, and supportive schoolteachers are important conditions for circumventing social norms on early marriage. As social norms evolve slowly, we recommend periodical assessment in order to develop locally appropriate interventions against early marriage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dagmawit Tewahido
- Nutrition and Behavioral Sciences Department, Addis Continental Institute of Public Health, Addis Ababa, Ethopia
- * E-mail:
| | - Alemayehu Worku
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department, Addis Continental Institute of Public Health, Addis Ababa, Ethopia
| | - Amare W. Tadesse
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, England
| | - Hanna Gulema
- Global Health and Health Policy Department, Addis Continental Institute of Public Health, Addis Ababa, Ethopia
| | - Yemane Berhane
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department, Addis Continental Institute of Public Health, Addis Ababa, Ethopia
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Kohno A, Dahlui M, Nik Farid ND, Safii R, Nakayama T. Why girls get married early in Sarawak, Malaysia - an exploratory qualitative study. BMC WOMENS HEALTH 2020; 20:46. [PMID: 32131810 PMCID: PMC7057601 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-020-00911-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Child marriage, a marriage that involves someone under the age of 18 years, is a long-standing social issue in Sarawak state, Malaysia. The state has taken several measures to improve situations of inequity for women who get married early; however, the practice is still a common part of the tradition and culture. The aim of this study was to explore the factors leading to child marriage in Sarawak state, Malaysia. METHODS This was an exploratory qualitative study conducted via semi-structured interviews with twenty-two women who were married when they were younger than 18 years old in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. Participants were recruited through purposive and convenient sampling with the use of data from a reproductive health clinic and recruitment in villages. Thematic analysis was used for data analysis. RESULTS Four overarching themes were identified: health risk behaviour, family poverty, early marriage as fate, and family disharmony. CONCLUSIONS In-depth understanding of the unique factors leading to child marriage locally will facilitate the introduction of new approaches to interventions to eradicate child marriage in Sarawak state, Malaysia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayako Kohno
- Department of Health Informatics, School of Public Health in the Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan.
| | - Maznah Dahlui
- Centre for Population Health, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,Faculty of Public Health, Airlangga University, Fakultas Kesehatan Masyarakat, Kampus C, Mulyorejo, Kota SBY, Surabaya, Jawa Timur, 60115, Indonesia
| | - Nik Daliana Nik Farid
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Razitasham Safii
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Malaysia Sarawak, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Takeo Nakayama
- Department of Health Informatics, School of Public Health in the Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
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