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Exploring Iraqi people's perception about early marriage: a qualitative study
Abubakir M Saleh1,2, Samir M Othman3, Kameran H Ismail3
1Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. abubakirms@gmail.com.
Early marriage is viewed negatively in Iraqi Kurdistan, with recognized harms. However, social, economic, and traditional factors still drive this practice, necessitating further regional research.
Area of Science:
- Sociology
- Public Health
- Gender Studies
Background:
- Early marriage poses significant risks to young girls' lives and health.
- Factors influencing early marriage, particularly public attitudes, remain understudied in Iraq.
- Prevalence of early marriage in Iraq necessitates understanding community perceptions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore community perceptions of early marriage in the Iraqi Kurdistan region.
- To identify attitudes, reasons, advantages, and disadvantages associated with early marriage.
- To understand the social and cultural context of early marriage in the study area.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study conducted in 2020 in Erbil, Iraq.
- Data collected through 16 focus group discussions with individuals who experienced early marriage.
- Analysis of focus group transcripts using Van Manen's methodological activities.
Main Results:
- Participants generally perceive early marriage as inappropriate social behavior.
- Key drivers identified include poor economic status, protection of youth, low education, and tradition.
- Major disadvantages cited are divorce and violence against women.
Conclusions:
- A negative attitude towards early marriage prevails, with recognized health and psychological consequences.
- Social, traditional, economic, educational, and religious factors continue to encourage early marriage.
- Further research across other Iraqi governorates is recommended for broader insights.
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