Factors associated with girl child marriage in Iran: a qualitative socio-ecological approach

IntroductionGirl child marriage is an example of a human rights violation, the unfortunate consequences of which have raised growing concerns in the health system and have become a development challenge. Therefore, this research was conducted to identify the factors driving girl child marriage based...

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Main Authors: Asma Pourtaheri, Mehrsadat Mahdizadeh, Hadi Tehrani, Jamshid Jamali, Nooshin Peyman
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-01-01
Series:Frontiers in Public Health
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1477197/full
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author Asma Pourtaheri
Mehrsadat Mahdizadeh
Mehrsadat Mahdizadeh
Hadi Tehrani
Hadi Tehrani
Jamshid Jamali
Jamshid Jamali
Nooshin Peyman
Nooshin Peyman
author_facet Asma Pourtaheri
Mehrsadat Mahdizadeh
Mehrsadat Mahdizadeh
Hadi Tehrani
Hadi Tehrani
Jamshid Jamali
Jamshid Jamali
Nooshin Peyman
Nooshin Peyman
author_sort Asma Pourtaheri
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionGirl child marriage is an example of a human rights violation, the unfortunate consequences of which have raised growing concerns in the health system and have become a development challenge. Therefore, this research was conducted to identify the factors driving girl child marriage based on the Socio-Ecological Model.MethodsThe present qualitative study employed guided content analysis and a deductive approach to identify the driving factors behind girl child marriage in Bam City. Sampling was targeted among Women aged 15–30 got married under the age of 15, family members, informants, and policymakers. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Hsieh and Shannon approach and MAXQDA software.ResultsThe data was classified into five categories: individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and society. Individual factors were classified into biological, psychological, and demographic factors. Interpersonal factors were categorized into two categories: family structure, Ineffective interactions and social support. Organizational factors included Weakness in the education and care system. Community factors included the economic situation governing the society. The society factors were divided into two categories: Cultural and social factors governing the society, and Weakness in policy making and legislation.DiscussionThe findings showed that the socio-ecological model is a suitable framework for explaining the driving factors of child marriage. Girl child marriage is not merely a personal or familial decision; rather, it is influenced by the interactions of different systems that can either exacerbate or mitigate the issue. Consequently, the management, control, and prevention of Girl child marriage necessitate comprehensive efforts at regional, national, and international levels. In addition to creating platforms for the empowerment of girls at both national and regional levels, international policies can also foster a supportive environment.
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spelling doaj-art-ad4fe73cbb294819a9f065dff26236f82025-01-21T08:36:39ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-01-011210.3389/fpubh.2024.14771971477197Factors associated with girl child marriage in Iran: a qualitative socio-ecological approachAsma Pourtaheri0Mehrsadat Mahdizadeh1Mehrsadat Mahdizadeh2Hadi Tehrani3Hadi Tehrani4Jamshid Jamali5Jamshid Jamali6Nooshin Peyman7Nooshin Peyman8Health Education and Health Promotion, Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranDepartment of Health Education and Health Promotion, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranSocial Determinants of Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranDepartment of Health Education and Health Promotion, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranSocial Determinants of Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranSocial Determinants of Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranSocial Determinants of Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranHealth Education and Health Promotion, Department of Health Education and Health Promotion, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranIntroductionGirl child marriage is an example of a human rights violation, the unfortunate consequences of which have raised growing concerns in the health system and have become a development challenge. Therefore, this research was conducted to identify the factors driving girl child marriage based on the Socio-Ecological Model.MethodsThe present qualitative study employed guided content analysis and a deductive approach to identify the driving factors behind girl child marriage in Bam City. Sampling was targeted among Women aged 15–30 got married under the age of 15, family members, informants, and policymakers. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Hsieh and Shannon approach and MAXQDA software.ResultsThe data was classified into five categories: individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and society. Individual factors were classified into biological, psychological, and demographic factors. Interpersonal factors were categorized into two categories: family structure, Ineffective interactions and social support. Organizational factors included Weakness in the education and care system. Community factors included the economic situation governing the society. The society factors were divided into two categories: Cultural and social factors governing the society, and Weakness in policy making and legislation.DiscussionThe findings showed that the socio-ecological model is a suitable framework for explaining the driving factors of child marriage. Girl child marriage is not merely a personal or familial decision; rather, it is influenced by the interactions of different systems that can either exacerbate or mitigate the issue. Consequently, the management, control, and prevention of Girl child marriage necessitate comprehensive efforts at regional, national, and international levels. In addition to creating platforms for the empowerment of girls at both national and regional levels, international policies can also foster a supportive environment.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1477197/fullchild marriagequalitative researchsocio-ecological modelpolicy makingculturesinterpersonal relations
spellingShingle Asma Pourtaheri
Mehrsadat Mahdizadeh
Mehrsadat Mahdizadeh
Hadi Tehrani
Hadi Tehrani
Jamshid Jamali
Jamshid Jamali
Nooshin Peyman
Nooshin Peyman
Factors associated with girl child marriage in Iran: a qualitative socio-ecological approach
Frontiers in Public Health
child marriage
qualitative research
socio-ecological model
policy making
cultures
interpersonal relations
title Factors associated with girl child marriage in Iran: a qualitative socio-ecological approach
title_full Factors associated with girl child marriage in Iran: a qualitative socio-ecological approach
title_fullStr Factors associated with girl child marriage in Iran: a qualitative socio-ecological approach
title_full_unstemmed Factors associated with girl child marriage in Iran: a qualitative socio-ecological approach
title_short Factors associated with girl child marriage in Iran: a qualitative socio-ecological approach
title_sort factors associated with girl child marriage in iran a qualitative socio ecological approach
topic child marriage
qualitative research
socio-ecological model
policy making
cultures
interpersonal relations
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1477197/full
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