Study on gender preference among pregnant women attending the tertiary care Hospital, Valsad: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

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. The social evil female feticide and infanticide can be eradicated only when we identify the reasons of gender preference and recognize the importance of women in their life. Preference for male baby reflects underlying socioeconomic and cultural patterns and prevailing inequity between genders in many societies in India. So this study was undertaken to find out the gender preference and various reasons for gender preference among antenatal women.This study was conducted among ANC mothers to know 1. Epidemiological factors of pregnant mother affecting the gender preference 2. Know the gender preference among ANC Mother for current pregnancy 3. Know the reasons for gender preference. A cross-sectional questionnaire based study was conducted among 100 antenatal women attending to Outpatient department of tertiary care hospital in the months of July-August 2021. Written consent was obtained after being briefed in detail about the aim and objectives of the study. Information was obtained using a pre-tested questionnaire on Demographic details, Obstetrics details, order of pregnancy, gender preference by the mother and reasons for gender preference etc. The data was entered and analyzed by using statistical software. In our study mean age of pregnant mother is 23±2SD, 15% mothers are illiterate and 58% from general category and 51% are residing in Nuclear family. 40.0% of pregnant mother had male gender preference and main reason for male gender preference was previous female child (60.0%), income purpose (57.50%), for generation constitution (45.0%) and demand of in laws (45.0%). We also noted the reason for non-preference of female child and noted that 87.5% had already a female child in their family.A desire for a balanced number of daughters and sons and a preference were observed. A son preference was observed among pregnant mothers for various reasons such as Income purpose, generation constitution, demand of in laws etc.