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CONSANGUINEOUS MARRIAGE IN THE CAPITAL CITY SANA’A, YEMEN

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 January 2004

ABDALLAH AHMED GUNAID
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Sana’a, Sana’a, Republic of Yemen
NURIA ALI HUMMAD
Affiliation:
Department of Sociology, Faculty of Arts, University of Sana’a, Sana’a, Republic of Yemen
KHALED ABDALLAH TAMIM
Affiliation:
Department of Sociology, Faculty of Arts, University of Sana’a, Sana’a, Republic of Yemen

Abstract

Consanguineous marriage is traditionally common throughout the Eastern Mediterranean region, especially in the mainly Muslim countries. To date, there is little information on consanguinity in Yemen. The aim of this study was to ascertain the rate of consanguineous marriage and average coefficient of inbreeding in Sana’a City, Yemen. A population survey was conducted with the intention of covering married couples resident in Sana’a City by means of a multi-stage random sampling technique. A total of 1050 wives and husbands were interviewed on consanguinity in their households. The total incidence of consanguinity was 44·7% (95% CI 41·7–47·7%) with first-cousin marriages constituting 71·6% of the total consanguineous marriages and 32% of all marriages. Paternal parallel first cousins (Type I) accounted for 49% of first-cousin marriages. The average coefficient of inbreeding (F) was 0·02442. The incidence of consanguinity is relatively high in Yemen with predominantly first-cousin marriage. This might be related to the deeply rooted social and cultural beliefs in the country.

Type
Regular Articles
Copyright
© 2004 Cambridge University Press

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