Abass Ali Ramozi , Ali Ahmad Yousefi , Mirwais Ramozi , Abdullah Rastin , Ehsan Shayan
Background: Consanguineous marriage, the union between two
individuals closely related, is a prevalent practice in Afghanistan, with an
estimated 46.2% of all marriages being consanguineous. This practice is
driven by various factors, including cultural traditions, beliefs in
strengthening familial bonds, and ease of finding a suitable spouse within
the extended family. However, consanguineous marriages have been
associated with an increased risk of genetic disorders in offspring. This
study aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of genetic
disorders and congenital abnormalities in a group of couples with
consanguineous marriage in Afghanistan.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study design was employed to recruit
131 couples with consanguineous marriage from various hospitals in Kabul,
Afghanistan. Participants were selected on questionnaire from registered
patients admitted to the hospitals based on their marital status,
consanguinity, and reasons for visiting the doctor, including marital
problems, childlessness, repeated abortions, congenital and genetic diseases
in their children. Data were collected on demographic characteristics,
medical history, physical examination findings, and genetic testing results
and descriptive statistics (mean, median, mode, standard deviation, variance,
frequency) conducted.
Results: The study findings revealed that 30% of the participating
couples had children with genetic disorders. Among these couples, 59% of
the cases were associated with first cousin marriages. The most common
type of consanguineous marriage was first cousin marriage, accounting for
61.8% of all consanguineous marriages. These findings highlight the significant association between consanguineous marriage and the prevalence
of genetic disorders in Afghanistan.
Conclusion:
This study delves into Afghanistan's common practice of consanguineous
marriage, particularly first cousin unions (over 60%). Worryingly, it reveals
a stark link between this practice and an increased risk of children with
genetic disorders. While details require further exploration, these findings
highlight the crucial need for accessible genetic counseling and education to
empower couples to make informed choices regarding their reproductive
health and future generations.