Health issues related to customary consanguineous marriage among British Pakistanis

Abstract

Social, medical and genetic factors related to the practice of consanguineous marriage are reviewed with particular respect to the British Pakistani population and recent media coverage of topic is also considered. The present study is based on a sample of 78 first- and second-generation Pakistanis living in Britain. The subjects were asked to give their views on consanguineous marriages and to demonstrate their knowledge of possible health problems related to the practice. Sources of information and personal experiences of health education on the subject were also determined. The popularity of consanguineous marriages was attributed to social rather than religious or economic influences by the majority of respondents, and television and magazines were the major sources of health information, rather than schools, family or health workers, emphasising the need for accurate and unbiased information through these channels. Second-generation subjects, in particular, stressed the desirability of consanguineous couples receiving health information on potential risks, before marriage. Knowledge of genetic disorders associated with consanguineous marriage was limited with only four subjects identifying beta-thalassemia, despite its high incidence in British Pakistanis (>18 per thousand). A majority of subjects emphasised the need to educate other population groups, including health workers, on the advantages of consanguineous marriages to counter a perceived widespread prejudice against the practice. Prenatal screening, with the option of termination of pregnancy for serious fetal abnormalities, was favoured by a majority of both generations. The need for a considered and rational view of consanguineous marriage on the part of health professionals is emphasised.