Knowledge and attitude towards consanguineous marriage among educated adults in Riyadh

Authors

  • Samira M. Mahboub Department of Health Sciences, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU), KSA http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3848-9086
  • Alanoud A. Alsaqabi Department of Health Sciences, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU), KSA
  • Noura A. Allwimi Department of Health Sciences, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU), KSA
  • Dana N. Aleissa Department of Health Sciences, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU), KSA
  • Basmah A. Al-Mubarak Department of Health Sciences, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU), KSA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20185223

Keywords:

Consanguineous marriage, Attitude, Adults, Knowledge

Abstract

Background: In Saudi Arabia there is still a high prevalence of consanguineous marriage in spite of increased educational level. This may be attributed to the fact that this practice is more influenced by attitude towards this type of marriage rather than educational level. The Aim of this study was to determine knowledge and attitude towards consanguineous marriages among educated Saudi adults.

Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire. A total of 680 educated Saudi adults living in Riyadh were asked about their socio-demographic characteristics, their knowledge and attitude towards consanguineous marriage.

Results: Most of participants had poor knowledge and negative attitude (53.31% and 57.21% respectively). One third of participants had no idea about the possibility that consanguineous couples may have diseased offspring more than non-consanguineous couples. Those who had significantly higher attitude score towards consanguineous marriage were older age group, males, those who are married to their relatives, people who have frequent family history of consanguineous marriage and participants with parental consanguinity. Attitude towards consanguineous marriage can be predicted by age and knowledge.

Conclusions: Changing the attitude can be done by changing level of knowledge. So, educational programs are recommended and should be directed to groups with higher attitude score.

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Published

2018-12-24

How to Cite

Mahboub, S. M., Alsaqabi, A. A., Allwimi, N. A., Aleissa, D. N., & Al-Mubarak, B. A. (2018). Knowledge and attitude towards consanguineous marriage among educated adults in Riyadh. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 6(1), 30–37. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20185223

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Original Research Articles