A cross-sectional study of gender preference among married urban women of Central India

Abstract

Background: Despite the existing preconception and prenatal diagnostic technique act, there is a strong preference for males in societies. There is a need to strengthen the law and to address various social reasons for male preference. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to know the pattern of gender preference and to study some epidemiological factors related to it among 18–35 years married women residing in an urban area. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in urban field practice area of the Department of Community Medicine, GMC Nagpur. Data were collected by house-to-house visits using systematic random sampling, and subjects were interviewed using structured pretested questionnaire after due consent. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square test were used. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Gender preference was significantly associated with age but not with religion, education, occupation, and type of family. The preference for male was statistically significant with age and presence of one or more daughters. The most common perceived reasons for male preference were to carry forward family name and support in old age. The common perceived reasons for female non-preference were daughters who will not stay with parents permanently and dowry problems. The most common perceived reason for female preference and male non-preference was already having a male child. Conclusion: Lack of security at old age, only male being considered to continue family line, and dowry issues are still prevalent in the community predisposing for high gender preference, especially for male child.