Gender Preference and Awareness on Sex Determination among Married Woman in Ranchi

Abstract

Sharp decline in sex-ratio has been observed in India resulting in 40–50 million missing girls since 1901 which cannot be explained by migration, undercount or biologically-ordained differentials at birth alone. A Cross-sectional study was undertaken among married women (in the reproductive age group, 15–45 years) attending G/O OPD, RIMS, Ranchi to study the extent of gender preference and socio-demographic factors associated with it, awareness regarding sex determination techniques and laws governing them. Sample Size — 127; Overall male preference was seen in 66.7%, 23.5% of respondents preferred female child, whereas 9.8% of respondents were indifferent. For male preference the reason offered most commonly being prestige in society. Preference for male child was higher in rural respondents (76.9%). Majority of respondents (70.59%) were aware of sex-determination techniques. Awareness about USG as technique for PNDT was universal. Main sources of information about sex-determination were media (72%). 2/3rd of subjects were aware of place where sex-determination could be carried out. 61% of them had also knowledge about existing laws on PNDT. Rural respondents (60%) were more willing for sex-determination compared to urban counterparts (37.5%).