A descriptive study to assess the knowledge regarding “effects of consanguinous marriage on offsprings” among prime gravid mothers attending OPD in selected hospital, bangalore with a view to develop an information booklet

Abstract

“A descriptive study to assess the knowledge regarding “effects of consanguinous marriage on offsprings” among prime gravid mothers attending OPD in selected hospital, Bangalore with a view to develop an information booklet.” A study was conducted in Shindoli village of district Belgaum. All the married women residing in the village were included in the study the number of women was 500. The prevalence of consanguinity was found to be 36%. Majority of the marriages were between first cousins (54.44%). Majority of the consanguineous marriage were between first cousins (54.44%). Uncle-niece marriages were present in 33.8% while 11.6% of the marriages were among those with more distant relationship. Fetal loss was seen to be significantly higher in the consanguineous group as compared to non- consanguineous group (p<0.001). 5(2.8%) congenital malformations were observed in consanguineous group and 4 (1.25%) in the non-consanguineous group (p>0.05). The congenital malformations were - congenital cataract (n=2), bifid tongue (n=l), cyanotic heart disease (n=3), cleft palate (n=l), hydrocephalus (n=2).Only 7.6% of the women were aware about the hazards of a consanguineous marriage. The awareness with regard to the hazards of consanguineous marriages was very low (7.6%). Hence, this study suggests that steps should be taken to inform people about the problems of marrying close relatives through appropriate IEC programmes.