Attitudes of Parents With a Child With Autosomal Recessive Disease Toward Consanguinity

• Published in: Inquiry (Chicago) Vol. 62
• Main Authors: Al-Kandari, Yagoub, Bahzad, Shaker, Ramadan, Dina, Alsharhan, Hind, Hussain, Mohammad, Al-Herz, Waleed
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sage CA: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 26.08.2025
• Subjects: Original Research
• ISSN: 0046-9580; 1945-7243
• DOI: 10.1177/00469580251366872

Consanguineous marriages are known to increase the risk of autosomal recessive genetic disorder. In this study we aimed to examine the perspective and attitudes of parents with 1 or more affected children by an AR disease toward consanguineous marriages. A total of 285 parents completed a self-administered survey. The participants belonged to 2 groups: a clinical sample defined as consanguineous parents with at least 1 child affected by an AR genetic disease, while the community sample were non-consanguineous parents. The questionnaire was about the subjects’ attitudes toward consanguinity and was divided into 2 parts: sociocultural and health attitudes. The clinical sample showed positive sociocultural views toward consanguineous marriages compared to the community sample as they had statistically significant differences regarding the belief it decreases divorce, general support of consanguinity in general and more specifically encouragement of their children to marry a relative. Regarding health attitudes, statistically significant differences were found between the 2 groups in 6 out of 7 examined variables. Despite the well-known associated reproductive and genetic risks of consanguinity, consanguineous subjects continue to support and positively view such marriages.