Socio-Economic Epidemiology of Consanguineous Matings in the Saudi Arabian Population

Abstract

The rate and socio-economic factors associated with consanguineous matings among 4498 Saudi families living in Riyadh have been evaluated. The incidence of consanguinity in the urban Saudi population is unusually high, has been common among Saudi people during the past decades and has not changed significantly even among the younger generation. There is a statistically significant relationship between educational level and consanguinity. Similar association is observed between income level and consanguineous matings. The rate of consanguinity is significantly higher among men and women who are marrying for the first time.