The prevalence of early marriage and its key determinants among Syria refugee girls/women - Bekaa, Lebanon

Study background:

Early marriage was a common practice in Syria before the conflict. It is believed that the rate of early marriage might be higher among Syrian refugees than it used to be in Syria before the conflict due to increased vulnerability caused by conflict and displacement.

Study design:

A cross-sectional survey among refugees from Syria in 3 regions in Bekaa, Lebanon that host a large number of refugees from Syria compared to other neighbouring areas: Bar Elias, Marj and Qab Elias, in August and September 2016.

Objectives:

1. To assess the prevalence of early marriage among 9-24 year old girls/women and school enrolment among 9 to 17 year old girls in all study areas

2. To explore social determinants that may contribute to early marriage and school enrollment

Study Sample:

A random sample of 1,513 households was selected from inside and outside informal tented settlements yielding 2,400 9-24 year old girls/women.

Early Marriage Research Team: Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Sawsan Abdulrahim, Jocelyn DeJong, Rima Mourtada, Huda Zurayk, Farah Sbeity and Marwan Khawaja (ESCWA).