A Study on Gender Preference and Awareness on Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act Among Antenatal Women in Visakhapatnam City

Abstract

Background: Child sex ratio has been declining over a period of time. Preference for a male child by the family leading to sex selective abortion is found to be a major factor which may have adverse impact on the social structure. This study was undertaken to find out the gender preference and awareness on PCPNDT act among antenatal women. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100antenatal women attending to Outpatient department of two tertiary care hospitals and willing to participate.Information was obtained using a pre- tested questionnaire on order of pregnancy, gender preference by the mother, by the family, awareness on PCPNDT etc. Results: Majority of the mothers were in the age group of 21 to 30 years (83%) with mean age 23.03 yrs + 3.6. Of them 42% were primigravida and 58% were of 2 nd order and above. Onethird (27%) preferred male child in the present pregnancy. Preference for male child was more among the family members ( 43%). It was more among those with at least one living girl child. About 58 % of the mothers were aware of PCPNDT Act. Of these, 89% were aware that sex selection is punishable. Awareness about PCPNDT was significantly high among literates as compared to illiterates. About 18 % of the mothers tried to know the sex of the present fetus by USG. Conclusion: Having male child is more commonly a family’s preference and seen in families with at least one girl child. While following the present trend of small family with couples having two or only one child, a family is considered complete only when couples have both male and female children. This concept is found to be the underlying reason for preference of male child in majority of the cases.