Assessment and Knowledge of Risks and Prevention of Consanguineous Marriage among Medical Students of Foundation University of Health Sciences, Islamabad: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Consanguineous marriages remain a significant issue as they define future generations and population health. The higher probability of inheriting recessive genes increases the danger of genetic abnormalities and malformations. However, the masses are generally unaware of these hazards. Pakistan exhibits a pervasive problem with consanguineous marriages. Objectives: To assess attitude and knowledge about the risks of consanguineous marriage and raise awareness about preventive measures against consanguinity among medical students. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study approved by the Institutional Ethical Review Committee (ERC) was conducted among male and female MBBS students. The sample size was calculated using OpenEpi software. Data was collected through a validated questionnaire by simple random sampling technique. Data was analyzed using SPSS 26 and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant in all the tests. Ethical approval was received from FUSH ERC committee before data collection. Results: The cross-sectional study conducted among 226 medical students at Foundation University Medical College (FUMC) revealed that 49% reported a personal or family history of consanguineous marriages, with a noticeable declining trend potentially due to a reduction in first-cousin marriages. Despite 69% of students demonstrating moderately high awareness of the associated health risks, 75% maintained a positive attitude toward consanguineous marriages, a significant predictor of its continued practice. Conclusion: Despite the moderately high awareness of health risks associated with consanguineous marriages among medical students at FUMC, the strong positive attitudes towards consanguinity suggest that the practice is still highly prevalent. The significant positive attitude observed in 75% of the students outweighs their understanding of the negative health consequences, indicating that cultural factors strongly influence the continuation of consanguineous practices. To address this issue, comprehensive educational and motivational programs are essential to shift attitudes and reduce the prevalence of congenital anomalies linked to consanguinity.