Estimation of the Impact of Sensitization on the Knowledge and Practices of Parents in the Face of Early Marriage in the Urban Commune of Koniakary

IB Bengaly¹*, A Kodio¹, A Konate², I Goita³, MB Coulibaly⁴, F Dicko⁵, Kaya A Soukho⁶, A Diaby¹, K Sidibe⁵,

IH Sidibe¹, A Sinayoko⁶ and A Berthe¹

Published: June 30, 2022

DOI: 10.55162/MCMS.03.052

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Abstract  

Introduction: Child marriage is any legal or customary union involving a boy or girl under the age of 18. The study we conducted aimed to assess the knowledge and practices of parents with regard to early marriage. Method and materials: This was an action research study that took place in three phases, the first consisted of an initial assessment to take stock of knowledge on early marriages and the development of the plan. of action. The second phase was devoted to the implementation of the action plan for improving knowledge about these marriages through information, education and communication sessions. Finally, the third consisted of a final evaluation to observe the evolution after the action plan over a period of four months from April to July 2017 in the urban municipality of Koniakary/Region of Kayes. 99 people participated in this study during the evaluations. Results: The most represented age group was 41-45 years with 40.3% of cases. The primary evaluation made it possible to identify shortcomings and relative exact answers were provided. This led us to have a great progress in the secondary evaluation: the knowledge on the age of the marriage evolved favorably because 78.8% thought that it was less than 14 years for the age of marriage at the beginning of the study against 10.1% at the final evaluation. The main reasons for these early marriages mentioned were the eviction of illegitimate pregnancies in 58.6% of cases. The decision makers in these marriages were the father and the other men in the family in 62.6% of cases. Conclusion: The decision-makers of these early marriages were male adults who did not know the age of marriage according to the texts in Mali nor the dangers that young people faced in early marriages. Thus the action plan that we have implemented has improved the knowledge of those surveyed in relation to early marriage.

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