Health problems, complex life, and consanguinity among ethnic minority Muslim women in Nepal.
BACKGROUND
Marriage between blood relatives is common among Muslim ethnic minority population in Nepal. Albeit, the adverse effects of such a consanguineous marriage on health are controversial.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence, characteristics and health outcomes related to consanguineous marriage.


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey was carried out using a cluster sampling technique to select the respondents. A total of 400 women aged 15-49 years were interviewed from September 2011 to February 2012. A structured questionnaire was administered through face-to-face meetings. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) were estimated by a stepwise likelihood ratio method with binary logistic regression.


RESULTS
The overall prevalence of consanguinity was 36.7%. The median age at marriage and age at first childbirth was 15 and 18 years, respectively. The association of being in a consanguineous marriage among women whose husband's education level were secondary or higher was 3.35 (95% CI 1.56, 7.12) times greater than among those whose husbands were unable to read and write. Woman who have consanguineous marriage were less likely to have (AOR 0.46, 95% CI 0.26, 0.82) used contraceptive than those who have non-consanguineous marriage. Women who have consanguineous marriage were more (AOR 1.80; 95% CI 0.90, 3.61) likely to have birth defect in their children than those who have non-consanguineous marriage. The association of having a history of death after live birth among women who experienced emotional violence was 2.60 (95% CI 1.36, 5.00) and physical violence 2.15 (95% CI 1.16, 3.93) times greater than among those who did not experience violence.


CONCLUSIONS
Several factors like husband's education and dowry practices are associated with consanguineous marriage. Further, these factors including consanguineous marriage and marital violence are also accountable for negative health consequences. Thus, multicomponent interventions are needed in order to improve the health condition of Nepalese Muslim community in rural area.
a Department of Public Health , Pokhara University, Nobel College , Sinamangal , Kathmandu , Nepal.
Dharma Nand
DN
Bhatta
Anwarul
A
Haque
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000208:ethnology; D003241:Consanguinity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007514:Islam; D008393:Marriage / Q000208:ethnology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008913:Minority Groups; D009390:Nepal; D015995:Prevalence; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014754:Violence; D055815:Young Adult
Muslim; Nepal; consanguinity; dowry; ethnic; health; marriage; minority