Sociodemographic Factors and Awareness of Consanguineous Marriages in Rural Northern Karnataka: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Consanguineous marriages, defined as unions between closely related individuals, are influenced by a complex interplay of cultural, social, economic, religious, and demographic factors. These marriages are prevalent among communities such as Hindus, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Christians, and Parsis in Southern and Western Asia, with significant regional variations within India. There is a lack of appropriate decision-making among women in consanguineous unions, particularly those with a low level of educational attainment, which leads to an increase in the prevalence of consanguineous marriages. This needs to be addressed through more studies and educational campaigns. Therefore, the primary objective of this study is to assess knowledge about the consequences of consanguinity and the sociodemographic factors related to consanguinity. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted in Unnat Bharat Abhiyan villages (Ukkali, Donur, Yambatnal, Hegadihal, Deginal) enrolled under Shri B. M. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, BLDE (Deemed to be University), Vijayapura, India, which was selected using a lottery method. The houses were selected randomly, focusing on ever-married females aged 15-49 within the reproductive age group. Data on sociodemographic profile, marital status, and awareness status of the participants were collected from March 2023 to April 2024 using an interview technique with a pretested, semi-structured questionnaire. Results The study involved the enrollment of a total of 108 participants (Donur - 24, Yembatnal - 32, Ukkali - 27, Deginal - 10, Hegadihal - 15). Among the respondents, only 37 participants (34%) know the specific health and genetic consequences of consanguinity, such as increased risk of genetic disorders (stillbirth, milestone delay, cerebral palsy). The study highlights a significant association between respondents' knowledge of the consequences of consanguineous marriage, their literacy level, and socioeconomic status. Conclusion The study concludes that literacy levels are inversely related to the prevalence of consanguineous marriages, suggesting that education holds the key to reducing this practice. The results of this study highlight the necessity of tackling this problem through a multifaceted strategy. This strategy should include culturally sensitive educational programs, economic empowerment initiatives for women, and religious discourse that promotes genetic diversity, offering the potential for change and progress.