Author:
Nguyen Anh Duy,Nguyen Long Hoang,Nguyen Lam Duc,Ninh Ly Thi,Nguyen Ha Thu Thi,Nguyen Cuong Tat,Nathan Nila,Do Anh Linh,Le Anh Minh,Doan Linh Phuong,Nguyen Son Hoang,Vu Thuc Minh Thi,Tran Bach Xuan,Latkin Carl A.,Ho Cyrus S.H.,Ho Roger C.M.
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Gender-biased discrimination and preferences are global phenomena, particularly son preferences. However, updated evidence about this issue in Vietnam has not yet been provided. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the gender preferences among pregnant women and identify associated factors of such preferences.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey was conducted in two hospitals in Vietnam with 732 pregnant women. Gender preferences for their child were asked, along with socio-demographic (e.g., education, occupation) and pregnancy characteristics (e.g., pressure to have a son, gender of first child, the importance to have a son of family members, and information sources on pregnancy care) by using face-to-face interviews and a structured questionnaire. Multinomial logistic regression was performed to determine factors associated with gender preferences.
Results
About 51.9% of the participants had no gender preference, while, among those who had a gender preference, 26.5% preferred sons, and 21.6% preferred daughters. Only 6.2% had pressure to have a son. Having the first child who was female (OR = 4.16, 95%CI = 1.54–11.25), having the pressure to have a son (OR = 6.77, 95%CI = 2.06–22.26), and higher self-perceived importance to have a son (OR = 3.05, 95%CI = 1.85–5.02) were positively associated with son preference. Otherwise, women having partners with high school education or above (OR = 2.04, 95%CI = 1.06–3.91), living with parents-in-law (OR = 2.33; 95%CI = 1.25–4.34), the higher number of pregnancies, and a higher degree of importance in having a son regarding parents-in-law (OR = 2.15, 95%CI = 1.38–3.35) associated with higher odds of preferring daughter.
Conclusion
This study showed that gender preference was common among pregnant women, but the pressure to have a son was low. Further education programs and legal institutions should be implemented to improve gender inequality and gender preference in society.
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Reference61 articles.
1. Assembly UG. Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development New York: United Nations; 2015 [Available from: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57b6e3e44.html.
2. Ritchie H, Roser M. “Gender Ratio”. Published online at OurWorldInData.org 2019 [Available from: https://ourworldindata.org/gender-ratio.
3. Chao F, Gerland P, Cook AR, Alkema L. Systematic assessment of the sex ratio at birth for all countries and estimation of national imbalances and regional reference levels. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2019;116(19):9303–11.
4. Organization WH. Preventing gender-biased sex selection: an interagency statement-OHCHR, UNFPA, UNICEF, UN women and WHO. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 2011.
5. Nations U, Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development Cairo. : United Nations; 1994 [Available from: www.un.org/ecosocdev/geninfo/populatin/icpd.htm.