INTRODUCTION:

We are all connected to life. Every choice we make and every belief we hold exerts influence upon the whole of life. As part of our biological health, this unique truth has physical expressions in honor, loyalty, family and group bonds. Probably this forms the basis of marriage, one of the most vital and powerful of our relationships. The human population has seen modern civilization and is still within family boundaries. One such familial-social bond in consanguineous marriage.

Cousin marriage is a marriage between two cousins. Cousin marriage has existed in many cultures throughout history. Such marriages are often highly stigmatized today in the West, but marriages between first and second cousins nevertheless account for over 10% of marriages worldwide. Hindus had a higher frequency of consanguineous marriages, uncle-niece unions being the commonest type, whereas Muslims preferred first cousin marriages. There was a significantly higher rate of still births and infant mortality in consanguineous mating as compared with non-consanguineous. The incidence of congenital malformations was 39.1/1000 births with a significantly higher incidence among the consanguineous group (8.01%) as against the non-consanguineous group (2.42%).

The consanguine marriages and/or cousin marriages are generally accepted and evaluated in light of the genetic problems. The sicknesses that are frequently observed in countries with consanguineous marriages are phenylketonuria, thalassemia, Landsteiner-fanconi-Anderson’s syndrome, hemophilia, Neuro system anomalies and many sicknesses. World Health Organization (2006) Report points out the increasing rates of congenital anomalies and mental disabilities under consanguineous marriages.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To assess the knowledge regarding the consanguineous marriage and its genetic effects among young adults.

2. To determine the association between knowledge of young adults with selected demographic variables.

HYPOTHESIS:

Hi –There will be significant association between the knowledge on consanguineous marriages and its effects with the selected demographic variables of young adults.

MATERIALS AND METHODS OF THE STUDY:

A descriptive study used for the study. 100 samples were drawn through Simple random sampling technique. Data were analyzed through frequency and percentage, mean, standard deviation and Chi-Square test.

MAJOR FINDINGS OF THE STUDY:

Majority of respondents belongs to 50(50%) were with in the age group of 22-23 years of age, 49(49%) of young adults were below the age of 20- 21 years, and rest meager proportion of young adults 01(1 %) were found in 24-25 years. In relation to gender half of the young adults (50%) were male, and other half of the young adults (50%) were females. In relation to residence, two third of the young adults (55%) were from rural and 45% from urban area. In relation to educational status of young adults, of the young adults 40 (40%) were studying B.A. About 34(34%) were studying B.Com. Remaining 26 (26%) were studying B.Sc.

Regarding educational status of father 31(31%) fathers completed their secondary school education, 24(24%) fathers were completed their graduation,17(17%)were illiterates,16(16%) were completed their primary school education and only 12 (12%)fathers was postgraduates. Most of the mothers of young adults 39(39%) completed their secondary school education, 36(36%) mothers were completed their primary school education, 15(15%) mothers were illiterate and were completed their graduation10 (10%). More than half of 55 (55%) of the young adults were having family history of consanguineous marriages and 45 (45%) are not having family history of consanguineous marriages.

DISTRIBUTION OF SUBJECTS ACCORDING TO LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE

Level of Knowledge	Frequency	Percentage
Adequate	0	0
Moderately adequate (50-75% of score)	39	39.0
Inadequate (< 50% of score)	61	61.0
Total	100	100

The above table shows the frequency and percentage distribution of young adults according to level of knowledge regarding consanguineous marriages and its genetic effects. Of the young adults more than half 61(61%) of the young adults had inadequate knowledge and only 39% had moderate knowledge.

DISTRIBUTION OF SUBJECTS ACCORDING TO LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE:

CONCLUSION:

The study concluded that there was significant lack of knowledge on consanguineous marriages and its genetic effects among young adults. The study findings showed that 85% of young adults were gathering information regarding effects of consanguineous marriages from health professionals. The result of the study reinforces the importance of the level of knowledge on consanguineous marriages and its genetic effects and trust between health professionals.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

1. M L Kulkarni, M Kurian. Consanguinity and its effect on fetal growth and development: a south Indian study. Journal of Medical Genetics 2000; vol 27:348-352.

2. George b, Louis Arner. Consanguineous marriages in the Americanpopulation. March 2000; vol 31(3).

3. Prof. Rohan W. Jayasekara. Consanguineous Marriages. Produced for the 125th Anniversary Celebrations of the Faculty of Medicine. Colombo. Sri Lanka. 2005

4. Roy Choudhary. A.K. Genetic testing and assessment,Journal of Biosocial Science. Jan 2006; 31(1):121-38

5. Bernadette Modell, Aamra Darr. Genetic counselling and customary consanguineous marriage. Nature Reviews Genetics. March 2000; vol 3: 225-229.

6. Guy Rosner, Serena Rosner, and Avi Orr-Urtreger. Annual Review of Genomics and Human Genetics. Nature Reviews Genetics 2003; Vol .10: 175-192.

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Received on 17.12.2012 Modified on 20.01.2013

Asian J. Nur. Edu. & Research 3(1): Jan.-March 2013; Page 31-32