Consanguineous marriages are one of the main reasons for poor quality of life of Khanh Son population...
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Innocent smile of children on the highlands. |
Consanguineous marriages are one of the main reasons for poor quality of life of Khanh Son population. Much propaganda and education have been utilized to discourage local residents from consanguineous marriages practices.
Reportedly, 3 out of 7or 8 marriages in Group 7, Xom Co Village, are between blood relations. Cao Luong and Cao Thi Nhiem are in a cousin marriage.
However, according to Raglai customs, cousin marriages are allowed due to the fact that people have been following consanguineous marriage practices for many generations.
Village patriarch Cao Dam says, the unsound customs have been existing not only among Raglai population but also in other communities in Khanh Son District.
It is found that marriages between blood relations are more common among those of low socioeconomic status, among the illiterate and uneducated.
"Child marriage has declined in recent years, however, consanguineous marriage often accompanies child marriage.
Children of first-cousin marriages have an increased risk of genetic disorders," Nguyen Van Nha, Director of Khanh Son District Center for Population & Family Planning said.
"Interbreeding raises the risk of genetic illness. Consanguineous marriage is dangerous and should be discouraged on medical grounds," Dr. Huynh Thi Hien, Vice Chief of the Khanh Hoa Department of Population & Family Planning added.
More education and propaganda are required to raise the public awareness of reproductive health as well as discourage marriages between close relatives.
N.T
