Abstract
INTRODUCTION: inbreeding is recognized in many studies as an important factor impacting health across several generations. It poses a real public health problem. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of inbreeding on non-communicable diseases, in particular susceptibility to a range of chronic and complex diseases in the Moroccan population. METHODS: we conducted an analytical cross-sectional study based on a survey conducted in two Moroccan communes: BNI hlal and Foum jemaa. The sample studied consisted of 222 individuals. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated for the probability of having the disease by the inbreeding status. The chi-square test was used to assess the relationship between the categorical variables. A p. value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: a frequency of consanguineous marriages of 43.2% was recorded among respondents vs 41% among their parents. We found that inbreeding between parents increased the chances of consanguineous marriages among offsprings (p = 0.01). The generation of consanguineous parents had a higher risk of developing non-communicable diseases such as cancers, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases and chronic renal failure. CONCLUSION: this study shows an increase in the prevalence of non-communicable diseases in the consanguineous population. This can confirm the influence of genetic factors upon the entire spectrum of the disease and not just inmendelian disorders.