The Causal Relationship between Consanguineous Marriages and Infant Mortality in Turkey

Turkey is one of the countries distinguished with high level of infant mortalities and consanguineous marriages. According to the results of TDHS-2008, the infant mortality rate is 17 per thousand, and 24 percent of women has a consanguineous marriage. The aim of this study is to analyze the causal relationship between the consanguineous marriages and infant mortality in Turkey. To accomplish this goal, contrary to the previous studies using just one data set, four data sets of demographic surveys conducted by HUIPS were used by merging all of them. In the study, the survival analysis method was used to understand the impact of consanguienous marriages on infant mortality by controlling all possible variables. The results of the desriptive analysis reveals that infant mortality rate in consanguineous marriages is 34 percent higher than that of non-consanguienous marriages. Results of multivarite analysis are compatible with this finding, as well. The risk of infant mortality is two times higher among women with first-degree consanguineous marriages compared to women with non-consanguienous marriages. Results of this study will be helpful in determining the policy instruments to reduce infant mortality and will set an example for other countries having higher consanguineous marriages and infant mortality.