The Health Consequences of Consanguineous Marriage in Kuwait

Abstract

The rate of consanguineous marriage in Kuwait is considered to be high. Several research studies have shown that marriage among relatives is one of the major factors leading to health problems because it increases homozygosis. This article deals with both cultural and physical aspects by examining the health consequences of consanguineous marriages in Kuwait. Variables such as reproductive wastage, health problems in the offspring and infant mortality are included and measured in relation to other socio-cultural variables. Cultural variables such as the respondents' roots (Bedouin and non-Bedouin) and beliefs (Muslim Sunni and Muslim Shi'a) are also examined. The results show that there is no significant association between consanguineous and non-consanguineous marriages in the rate of abortion or the mortality of infants and children up to five years old. Finally, the data reveal significant differences between the genetic and genetic-environmental diseases in consanguineous couples' offspring and those of non-consanguineous couples. Since some of these findings contradict those of other studies, more research is needed.

Sociocultural Characteristic, Lifestyle, and Metabolic Risk Factors Among a Sample of Kuwaiti Male University Students

“…Many studies have been conducted among the Kuwaiti population to explain the high percentage of the diagnosis of individuals with chronic disease. Their findings demonstrate that the cultural and economic changes in dietary habits and lifestyles that Kuwaiti individuals made were the main causes of these poor health outcomes ( Al-Arouj, Bennakhi, Alnesef, Sharifi, & Elkum, 2013 ; Al-Kandari, 2003 ; Al-Mousa, Prakash, Jackson, & Al Raqua, 2003 ; Jackson, Al-Hamad, Prakash, & Al-Somaie, 2010 ). Al-Rashdan and Al Nesef (2010) illustrate the high prevalence of overweight, obesity, and MetS among Kuwaiti adults.…”

“…In the past six decades following the discovery of oil, Arabian Gulf countries have undergone rapid economic and sociocultural transformation ( Guy, Nunn, Thomas, & Bell, 2009 ). The sudden increase in natural resources, along with lifestyle changes as a result of adopting a Western lifestyle, transformed the disease types seen in the Gulf region from transmitted diseases to chronic diseases ( Al-Kandari, 2003 ). Consequently, there has been an increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases such as obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer among populations living in the Arabian Gulf countries ( Al-Kandari, 2003 ; Al-Rashdan & Al Nesef, 2010 ; Barakat-Haddad, 2013 ; Motlagh, O’Donnell, & Yusuf, 2009 ; Musaiger et al, 2013 ).…”

“…The sudden increase in natural resources, along with lifestyle changes as a result of adopting a Western lifestyle, transformed the disease types seen in the Gulf region from transmitted diseases to chronic diseases ( Al-Kandari, 2003 ). Consequently, there has been an increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases such as obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer among populations living in the Arabian Gulf countries ( Al-Kandari, 2003 ; Al-Rashdan & Al Nesef, 2010 ; Barakat-Haddad, 2013 ; Motlagh, O’Donnell, & Yusuf, 2009 ; Musaiger et al, 2013 ). Unhealthy food intake, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, high carbohydrate intake, office occupation, reliance on domestic help, reliance on car transportation, and avoidance of outdoor activities have been detected as a daily lifestyle pattern leading to poor health among populations living in the Arabian Gulf ( Al-Adsani, Moussa, Al-Jasem, Abdella, & Al-Hamad, 2009 ; Al-Isa, 2004 ; Al-Kandari, 2006 ).…”

“…In Kuwait, the discovery of oil in the 1940s brought significant changes in living patterns ( Al-Kandari, 2003 ). The Kuwaiti government provides free medical care, free education, high salary, and comfortable, affordable housing to its citizens.…”

Revisiting Consanguineous Marriage in the Greater Middle East: Milk, Blood, and Bedouins

“…In Saudi Arabia, for example, kin marriage has been associated with sickle cell disease, blood disorders, and enzyme disorders (el‐Hazmi et al ). In Kuwait, kin marriage has been linked to “physical and mental disabilities, deafness and blindness” (Al‐Kandari :75). In Lebanon, the most common congenital outcomes of consanguineous marriage were “mental retardation … thalassaemia [a blood disorder leading to anemia] … and psychological problems” (Barbour and Salameh :510).…”