Linkages between consanguineous marriages and childhood stunting: Evidence from a cross-sectional study in India

The present research aims to decode the ties between marriages within blood relation (consanguineous marriages) and childhood stunting in India using the latest round of National Family Health Survey, conducted during 2015-16. The present study utilizes data on 192,357 ever-married women age 15-49 years and 14,707 children under age five years from National Family Health Survey, India, 2015-16. To draw inferences from the data, bivariate and multivariable logistic regression has been utilized. A Propensity Score Matching technique has been used to understand the causal linkages between consanguineous marriages and childhood stunting. The prevalence of childhood stunting was higher among male child (40%) compared to the female child (38%) among women who have married their blood relatives. The findings hint's a significant association between consanguineous marriages and childhood stunting. Multivariable regression and propensity score matching results also show that childhood stunting was significantly higher in consanguineous marriages compared to non consanguineous marriages in the country. Thus, to reduce childhood stunting among children born to women married to their blood relatives, measures like premarital and pre-conception counselling need to be taken for the individuals opting for consanguineous marriages.