The frequency of consanguineous marriages in city center of Afyonkarahisar and ıts medical effects

In this study, the rate of consanguinity and its effects on spontaneous abortus,stillbirth, infant mortality, and birth defects were investigated in a population sampleresiding in Afyonkarahisar city, Turkey. The sample group consisted of 1040 women residing in the public health center areas in the provincial center of Afyonkarahisar.The study data were collected between July-October 2010 bye the researcher, using face-to-face interview technique, and a questionnaire that inquire the women?s characteristics and the independent variables of the study. Descriptive statistics and chi-square test were employed to evaluate the data.Women participating in the study was determined that 63,2% of the women were primary school graduates, 72,9% were housewives, 76,4% lived in nuclear families.Afyonkarahisar province in the center frequency of consanguineous marriages was 20,7%. The most common type of consanguineous mating was half-niece marriages with the frequency of 13,8% 61,8% of the women believe that consanguineous marriage is detrimental to the health of the offspring.Consanguineous marriage was found to be inversely related to educational level. Consanguineous marriage was found to lower levels of education for women and men who coose to.The number of children living in women who have had a consanguineous marriage were higher. Consanguineous marriage with the spontaneous abortion, stillbirth and abortion is a significant relationship was found between. However, no significant differences in deaths of children under five years of age found. Consanguineous marriages, families had mental retardation and psychiatric disorders, congenital defects, structural abnormalities and the metabolic rate of disease was more frequent.It could be suggested that health staff should inform and encourage the women having consanguineous marriages about genetic counseling, further studies should be carried out to examine women?s opinions obout consanguineous marriages.Keywords: Consanguineous marriage, infant mortality, birth defects, pregnancy outcomes.