Universal Journal of Public Health Vol. 12(2), pp. 307 - 314
DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2024.120215
Reprint (PDF) (548Kb)

The Association between Marriage Consanguinity and Hearing Loss in Jordan: A Retrospective Analysis

Laila Qanawati ¹, Rama Alasir ¹, Yazan Gammoh ¹, Reeman Marzouqah ^2,*
1 Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Jordan
² Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Canada

ABSTRACT

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the association between marriage consanguinity and hearing loss in a Jordanian demographic. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on medical records from Al-Ahliyya Amman University Hearing and Speech Center between 2020-2023. The study included 416 patient records, all under the age of 18. Diagnostic methods included Pure-tone audiometry, Distortion product Otoacoustic emissions, Auditory brainstem response, and Immittance metering. Statistical analysis involved chi-square tests and logistic regression, considering marriage consanguinity, sex, and family history. Results: A total of 416 children were included in the study (58.18% males). The average age of the sample was 59 months (±45). A positive family history of hearing loss was observed in 77.88% of the children. Marriage consanguinity was reported in 38.46% of the sample population. Logistic regression indicated an increased risk of hearing loss in consanguineous marriages (log odds=0.895, p=.029), with a significant interaction between consanguinity and family history (log odds=0.362, p=.007). A marginally lower risk of hearing loss in females than in males was also observed (log odds= -0.498, p=.050). Conclusion: The study identified a significant association between consanguineous marriages and the incidence of sensorineural and mixed hearing loss, underscoring the genetic risks associated with consanguineous marriages and the importance of genetic counselling and audiological screenings in such populations.

KEYWORDS
Consanguineous Marriage, Middle East, Hearing Loss, Genetic Risks

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Laila Qanawati , Rama Alasir , Yazan Gammoh , Reeman Marzouqah , "The Association between Marriage Consanguinity and Hearing Loss in Jordan: A Retrospective Analysis," Universal Journal of Public Health, Vol. 12, No. 2, pp. 307 - 314, 2024. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2024.120215.

(b). APA Format:
Laila Qanawati , Rama Alasir , Yazan Gammoh , Reeman Marzouqah (2024). The Association between Marriage Consanguinity and Hearing Loss in Jordan: A Retrospective Analysis. Universal Journal of Public Health, 12(2), 307 - 314. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2024.120215.