Abstract:

In this study, the consanguineous marriages are investigated retrospectively in the "Gemlik Yukarı Hamidiye" quarter. Yukarı Hamidiye quarter is a new one and most of the people living there are refrugees from-north-eastern Anatolia. There vvere 690 ever married women in this quarter. 555 of them vvere interviewed. Data was vollected by a questionnaire and results were taken from PC by using SYSTAT programme. The proportion of consanguineous marriages is 33.0 % and inbreeding coefficient is 0.016. Among consanguineous marriages 93.0 % of them vvere arranged between first and second cousins, which are thought to be medically more risky. The proportion of consanguineous marriages among illiterate women (38.6 %) and among those whose relatives in also in consanguinity (42.5 °/o) are highest in background characteristics. Husbands of those women who made consanguineous marriages, marry one year earlier than the nonconsanguineous group. The main cause of consanguineous marriages was traditions. There was no relation between consanguineous marriages and stili births, infant deaths, spontaneous abortions. But the relationship betv/een consanguineous marriages and congenital malformâtions was significant. Consanguinity in this quarter of Gemlik was found very high. Main reason for this was the social isolation. To prevent this medicatty high risky condition we must: — Reduce the illiteracy among women and — Break the walls of social isolation.

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