In-depth examination of issues surrounding the reasons for child marriage in Kelantan, Malaysia: a qualitative study

OBJECTIVE: To examine individual, familial, community and societal issues surrounding the reasons for child marriage in Kelantan, Malaysia.

DESIGN: Qualitative study by means of semistructured interviews with women and key informants, using social-ecological model as a conceptual framework.

SETTING: Interviews were conducted in Kota Bharu district, Kelantan, a northeast state in Peninsular Malaysia.

PARTICIPANTS: Eighteen women of reproductive age (18 to 44 years old) that experienced their first marriage below the age of 18, as well as five key informants, consisting of a government officer, a community leader, an officer from religious department and two mothers. The women were recruited from a reproductive health clinic. The key informants who had specialised knowledge related to child marriage were selectively chosen.

RESULTS: Three themes emerged that aligned with the social-ecological model: immaturity in decision-making, family poverty and religious and cultural norms.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings imply that sex education and awareness-building activities regarding the consequences of child marriage must be implemented to eradicate child marriage in Malaysia. Such implementation must be coordinated as a team-based approach involving experts in such fields as law, religion, psychology, social-welfare and public health. In order to increase the awareness of child marriage consequences, the target for awareness must extend not only to the adolescent girls and their families, but also to the community and society at large by clearly communicating the negative consequences of and addressing the drivers for child marriage.