Consanguinity and Inbreeding Coefficient F in Aligarh city, India: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

To determine the coefficient of inbreeding of consanguinity (F) and its correlates in Aligarh city, India. Material and Methods: Cross sectional household survey with a sample size of 2000 (1600 non-consanguineous and 400 consanguineous couples) using systematic random sampling. Researcher conducted the study by visiting every tenth household of every tenth ward of Aligarh city. Information was recorded on a pre-tested questionnaire, which had questions pertaining to religion, details regarding relationship between couples (consanguineous / non consanguineous marriage), type of consanguinity (first cousin/second cousin/third cousin), level of education and occupation (a proxy for socioeconomic status). Descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and multivariate logistic regression were used. Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that Islam (p<0.001) and Christianity (p<0.001) were significantly associated with consanguinity. Private employment with (-) B value (p<0.001) showed a significant association of the variable with non-consanguineous group. Coefficient of inbreeding for the present study was 0.0538, highest reported from any part of India. Conclusion: Consanguinity is a prevailing problem in Aligarh city, India. Evidence based guidelines needed. Information-educationcommunication and premarital counseling suggested to make population aware of the consequences of consanguinity and to help couples make a decision.

Consanguinity: A Form of Social Capital Among the Muslims of Char Areas in Barpeta District, Assam

“…This may be attributed to the fact that this practice is more influenced by attitude towards this type of marriage rather than educational level (Mahboub et al, 2019). A similar result was also obtained by Khan (2019), where more educated women were associated with consanguineous group in the city of Aligarh, in India. Schellekens et al (2017) explored the contribution of women's education to the decline in consanguinity among Muslims in Israel.…”