Why girls get married early in Sarawak, Malaysia - an exploratory qualitative study

• DOI: 10.1186/s12905-020-00911-z
• Publication Date: 2020-03-04T15:02:39Z
• Authors: Ayako Kohno; Maznah Dahlui; Nik Daliana Nik F...; Razitasham Safii; Takeo Nakayama
• Keywords: Thematic Analysis; Child marriage; Exploratory research

Abstract Background Child marriage, a marriage that involves someone under the age of 18 years, is long-standing social issue in Sarawak state, Malaysia. The state has taken several measures to improve situations inequity for women who get married early; however, practice still common part tradition and culture. aim this study was explore factors leading child Methods This an exploratory qualitative conducted via semi-structured interviews with twenty-two were when they younger than years old Kuching, Sarawak, Participants recruited through purposive convenient sampling use data from reproductive health clinic recruitment villages. Thematic analysis used analysis. Results Four overarching themes identified: risk behaviour, family poverty, early as fate, disharmony. Conclusions In-depth understanding unique locally will facilitate introduction new approaches interventions eradicate