Title: A Study on Gender Preference and its Determinants among Antenatal Women of Western UP
Authors: Dr Sachin Singh Yadav, Dr Shweta Yadav, Dr Prachi Singh
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i7.50
Abstract
Introduction: The status of Indian women in the society has changed from time to time; the position of women in society is an indicator of the standard of social organization. Deteriorating sex ratio is a matter of grave concern in India. Son preference is a major hurdle to population stabilization as it makes couples opt for the larger number of children in order to ensure at least one male child in the family.
Objectives
- To assess Gender preference, attitude and awareness regarding sex determination among antenatal women
- To find out socio-demographic determinants of gender preference.
Material & Methods: Study was conducted in 6 months period among 400 antenatal women attending antenatal outpatient department (ANC OPD) of TMMC & RC Moradabad (UP). We utilised a predesigned Performa to elicit baseline facts about study participants, assessed their knowledge, attitude and practice regarding sex determination, their gender preference, reason for the predilection.
Results: Out of 400 women 53.5% showed preference for son, 17.5% for daughter & 29 % had no preference. 83.5% were aware that fetal sex determination can be done,19.5% want to go for termination of pregnancy if female & only 35.5% were aware that it is crime Autonomy, education and exposure to mass media have negative association whereas co-residence with in-laws and no male child has the significant positive association. Various social reasons were given by respondents for Gender preference.
Conclusion: It is essential to intensify the efforts against this societal problem by rigorous IEC campaigns for raising awareness about rules forbidding pre-natal sex determination and strict execution of PNDT Act.
Keywords: child sex ratio, gender preference, sex determination, antenatal women.
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