Social correlates of consanguineous marriages in Beirut: a population-based study.

In a population-based sample of couples from Beirut the frequency of consanguineous marriages (25% on the average) rises when 1) educational level of the husband lowers; 2) occupational status of the husband lowers; and 3) shifting from Christians to Muslims. A multivariate analysis identifies low occupational status and Muslim religion as the 2 major correlates of consanguineous marriages and confirms the decline of endogamy with time. Implications for future studies of consanguinity effects (control variables) as well as for public health action (definition of target population) are discussed. (authors)