Perception of consanguineous marriages and their genetic effects among a sample of couples from beirut

We interviewed 100 women who had married a relative and 100 other women of the same age, religious affiliation, and socioeconomic status, but who were not related to their husbands. Both women were selected from a hospital setting in Beirut, and were questioned about their outlook on consanguineous marriages, their awareness of the genetic consequences of consanguinity, and their relationships with in‐laws. In general, the women in consanguineous marriages were more favorably inclined than the matched women to marriages between relatives; however, about half of each group would advise their son/daughter to marry his/her cousin. Awareness of the genetic consequences of consanguinity was wide‐spread among the respondents, although the women who had married a relative were reluctant to express it. These women also reported better relationships with in‐laws, which may be considered as a social benefit derived from consanguineous marriages. Based on the above findings, recommendations are made regarding the content of a public health educational program.