Perception of consanguineous marriages and their genetic effects among a sample of couples from Beirut.
We interviewed 100 women who had married a relative and 100 other women of the same age, religious affiliation, and socioeconomic status, but who were not related to their husbands. Both women were selected from a hospital setting in Beirut, and were questioned about their outlook on consanguineous marriages, their awareness of the genetic consequences of consanguinity, and their relationships with in-laws. In general, the women in consanguineous marriages were more favorably inclined than the matched women to marriages between relatives; however, about half of each group would advise their son/daughter to marry his/her cousin. Awareness of the genetic consequences of consanguinity was wide-spread among the respondents, although the women who had married a relative were reluctant to express it. These women also reported better relationships with in-laws, which may be considered as a social benefit derived from consanguineous marriages. Based on the above findings, recommendations are made regarding the content of a public health educational program.
D000328:Adult; D003241:Consanguinity; D005260:Female; D005817:Genetic Counseling; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000517:prevention & control; D005826:Genetics, Medical; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D007861:Lebanon; D008297:Male; D011639:Public Opinion; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires