A Study to Assess the Practice and Attitude Regarding the Effects of Consanguineous Marriage in Selected Community Areas

¹Obstetrics and Gynaecological Nursing, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, 600078, India

Objectives: Consanguineous marriages, defined as unions between individuals who are related by blood, are a significant cultural practice in India, particularly in certain regions and communities. Aim: The study aims to assess the Practice and attitude regarding the effects of consanguineous marriage in selected community areas. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study. The study will be conducted in rural area of Tamil Nadu, which has been selected. A selected rural area and young adults, aged 18 to 30 years will be used as the study population. For this study the sample size is 140. The participants are selected by using a simple random sampling technique. Result: The result of the study showed that in the aspect of knowledge, 71.43% were aware of consanguineous marriage, while 64.29% acknowledged that knowledge of genetic risks of consanguineous marriage. In practice 57.14 percent in the family were consanguineous and at the same time only 21.43 percent were getting genetic risk consultations. Significant associations between marital status and consanguineous marriage history with knowledge. Conclusion: The study concluded that the study concluded that the complicated relationship among consanguinity, knowledge, practice and socio-cultural factors in consanguineous marriages in India. Developing culturally sensitive health education programs is critical to decrease health risk while respecting cultural traditions

Key Words Cultural practices, health consequences, community perceptions, genetic counselling

Consanguineous marriages, defined as unions between individuals who are related by blood, are a significant cultural practice in India, particularly in certain regions and communities.[1]

The prevalence of consanguineous marriages in India is notably high, particularly in southern states where it can account for up to 25.8% of all marriages [2]. Studies indicate that regions like Tamil Nadu report even higher rates, with approximately 47% of marriages being consanguineous. Northern and eastern states exhibit lower rates of consanguinity, often below 10% [3]. This trend is often attributed to cultural traditions that favor intra-familial unions, which are believed to strengthen familial ties and ensure compatibility between spouses [4].

In rural areas, where traditional practices are more deeply rooted, consanguineous marriages are more common compared to urban settings where modernization and education may influence marital choices [5,6].

Recent studies suggest a gradual decline in the prevalence of consanguineous marriages in certain parts of India, particularly among educated populations [7,8]. This decline is attributed to increasing awareness of the health risks associated with such unions and changing social norms that favour exogamous marriages. However, the persistence of consanguinity in rural areas indicates that cultural practices continue to exert a strong influence on marital choices [6,9]. Research indicates that educational interventions can play a vital role in changing attitudes towards consanguinity by increasing knowledge about the associated health risks [10,11].

Consanguineous marriages remain a prevalent practice in India, shaped by a complex interplay of cultural, social and economic factors. While these unions are often viewed positively within certain communities, the associated health risks cannot be overlooked. As awareness of these risks grows, particularly among younger generations, there may be a shift in attitudes towards consanguinity. Continued research and public health initiatives are essential to navigate the delicate balance between cultural traditions and health outcomes in the context of consanguineous marriages in India. The researcher aims to assess the practice and attitudes regarding the effects of consanguineous marriage in selected community areas. The study seeks to identify actionable outcomes that can inform targeted health interventions and policy-making.

This is a descriptive cross-sectional design. The study will be conducted in rural area of Tamil Nadu, which has been selected. A selected rural area and young adults, aged 18 to 30 years will be used as the study population. For this study the sample size is 140. Participants are selected using a simple random sampling technique, with measures to enhance representativeness and minimize biases. The study was approved by institutional ethical committee of Govt. Theni Medical college. (REF.NO.971/MEIII/19). Participants will be informed about the study, will give consent in order to participate and will be assured that the personal data received would be used only for research.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Ages from 18-30 years
• Selected rural area residents

Exclusion Criteria:

• People not willing to take part in the study.

Data Collection Tools

We will collect data through the following tools with a structured questionnaire for demographics, questions about practice and attitude. Based on the interview schedule, during face-to-face interview we will be conducting a structured questionnaire to get accurate data. To enhance reliability, the questionnaire was pre-tested in a pilot study, ensuring consistency in responses. Validity was maintained by designing questions based on established literature and expert reviews to ensure they effectively measured the intended variables.

Data Collection Procedure

We obtained prior permission from the village authorities and other relevant ethical bodies to conduct the study. Young adults meeting the inclusion criteria were identified and invited to participate. The study's purpose was explained to all participants and informed consent was obtained from them. Data collection was conducted over a specified period in rural areas using a structured questionnaire. A total of 140 face-to-face interviews, each lasting 15-20 minutes, were completed. While face-to-face interviews ensured clarity and accuracy in data collection, they may have been susceptible to interviewer bias. To address this, interviewers were trained to maintain neutrality and consistency throughout the process.

Statistical Analysis

Data will be entered and analysed systematically using either SPSS or Excel. Frequency distributions will be used to describe the participants’ demographic data, current age, gender, education level, marital status, Consanguineous marriages rate and their attitude. The findings will be described in table, figures and illustrations where necessary. Chi-square tests will show relationships for some of the studied variables like age, education and attitudes toward consanguineous marriages.

The Table 1 provides the demographic data, the majority of participants were aged 21-25 years (42.86%), with a fairly even gender distribution of males (53.57%) and females (46.43%). Most participants were married (71.43%) and a significant portion had attained higher secondary education (35.71%). The most common occupation was student (28.57%), with a predominant joint family structure (50%).

Table 1: Demographic variables of the participants N = 140

Table 2 provides the knowledge score; a large percentage (71.43%) of participants were aware of what consanguineous marriage is and 64.29% recognized that it can increase the risk of genetic disorders in offspring. However, awareness of specific genetic disorders was slightly lower at 57.14%. A strong majority (78.57%) believed that consanguineous marriages impact child health and 67.86% were aware of the increased risk of congenital disabilities.

Table 2: Frequency and percentage distribution of knowledge score (N = 140)

Table 3 summarize the practice score of regarding practice, 57.14% of participants or their family members had a consanguineous marriage and 64.29% reported that such marriages were encouraged by their families. However, only 35.71% believed marrying within the family helps preserve wealth and just 21.43% consulted a doctor to assess genetic risks before marriage. Additionally, 60.71% believed consanguineous marriages strengthen family bonds, though only 17.86% had encountered health issues related to the practice in their children. Finally, very few (14.29%) had attended any educational sessions on the risks of consanguineous marriage.

Table 3: Frequency and percentage distribution of practice score (N = 140)

Table 4 reveals that marital status and consanguineous marriage history were significantly associated with knowledge regarding consanguineous wedding through chi square analysis (χ² = 6.45, p = 0.040; χ² = 6.23, p = 0.030). Age, gender, education level, occupation, income, family structure, religion, number of children and genetic disorders in family did not show statistically significant association with the outcome (p>0.05). This suggests that marital status and consanguineous marriage history influence knowledge and practices more than do other demographic factors in this setting.

Table 4: Association of knowledge with selected demographic variables

The result of the study showed majority of participants (71.43%) were aware of consanguineous marriages and 64.29% understood the associated genetic risks. This level of awareness is encouraging, as it suggests that educational initiatives may be having an impact. However, awareness of specific genetic disorders was slightly lower at 57.14%, indicating a gap in knowledge that could be addressed through targeted educational programs. The fact that most participants (78.57%) believed consanguineous marriages impact child health aligns with previous research indicating that awareness of health risks is crucial in communities where such marriages are prevalent [12,13].

This belief is further supported by the recognition of increased risks of congenital disabilities by 67.86% of participants, underscoring the need for continued public health education regarding the implications of consanguinity [13].

In terms of practice, the data reveal that 57.14% of participants or their families had engaged in consanguineous marriages, with 64.29% reporting family encouragement for such unions. This finding highlights the cultural acceptance and familial support that often accompany consanguineous marriages, which can perpetuate the practice despite known health risks [4,14].

The significant associations found between marital status, consanguineous marriage history and knowledge (χ² = 6.45, p = 0.040; χ² = 6.23, p = 0.030) suggest that individuals with personal experience in consanguineous marriages may have a more nuanced understanding of the associated risks, highlighting the importance of personal experience in shaping knowledge and attitudes [1].

Furthermore, the lack of significant associations between other demographic factors such as age, gender, education, occupation, family structure and religion indicate that marital status and consanguineous marriage history are key determinants of knowledge and practices in this context. This finding is consistent with previous research that has shown that educational attainment often correlates with awareness of health risks associated with consanguinity, suggesting that educational interventions could be particularly effective in reducing the prevalence of consanguineous marriages [15].

The study indicates a reasonable level of awareness regarding consanguineous marriages and their health implications, there remain significant gaps in knowledge, particularly concerning specific genetic disorders. The cultural acceptance of consanguineous marriages and the familial encouragement for such unions suggest that interventions must be culturally sensitive and community-oriented to be effective. Future research should focus on developing educational programs that address these gaps and promote informed decision-making among individuals and families considering consanguineous marriages.

The study is limited by use of only one rural area. This could introduce bias in self-reported data and it uses a cross-sectional design, hence behavior cannot be assured to be causative. In addition, rural areas with limited healthcare access may have had an effect on participants' knowledge and may have gone some way to explaining the findings.

I am very grateful for my guide and co guide for all the effort and contribution in the conduct of this research. I would also like to extend my appreciation to my institution and to all the participants for helping this study to occur.

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