1Senior Resident, Dept. Obst & Gynae, ESIC-PGIMSR & MC, Joka, Kolkata
2MD, Community Medicine, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, Manipur
3Assistant Professor, Dept. Obst & Gynae, ESIC-PGIMSR & MC, Joka, Kolkata
4Senior Resident, Dept. Obst & Gynae, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, Manipur
5Professor, Community Medicine, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, Manipur
6Professor, Dept. Obst & Gynae, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, Manipur
*Corresponding author: Manisha Vernekar, Senior Resident, Dept. Obst & Gynae, ESIC-PGIMSR & MC, Joka, Kolkata-104, Address: C/O Dr Rajib Roy, Flat No 102, Om apartment, B-118, P-50, Diamond park, joka, Kolkata-104. Mobile: 09051239019, Email id: manu_1486@yahoo.co.in
Online published on 31 January, 2015.
Skewed sex ratio is an issue of major concern having long term social and demographic consequences. Child sex ratio (0–6 years) is an important indicator of the demographic in the future. Manipur has a declining child sex ratio 957 (2001) to 934 (2011) census report which may lead to socio-cultural problems and population imbalances. Hence this study is contemplated to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of pregnant women regarding prenatal sex determination and female foeticide
To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice towards prenatal sex determination and female feticide among pregnant women and to determine the association between knowledge and sex preference with some selected variables of interest.
A cross-sectional study was conducted from September- November 2011 among 400 pregnant women attending RIMS Obstetrics and Gynaecology OPD. Data was collected by interview method using a structured questionnaire. Data analyzed using descriptive statistics. Chi square test was used. P value<0.05 was taken as significant. Ethical approval obtained from RIMS institutional ethics committee.
Most of the respondents were in the age group 26–30 years. More than half (61.5%) of the respondents had heard of prenatal sex determination. Of the respondents, 27.5% thought that prenatal sex determination was legal. Of the 2% respondents who responded that they would go for abortion, majority of the women said that they would go for it if the foetus is female. Son preference in the current pregnancy increased if the previous child was female (p= 0.000).
Prenatal sex determination and female foeticide is an undesirable practice with many social consequences. More than half of the respondents have awareness regarding prenatal sex determination but the knowledge can still be improved and we need extra efforts to make the people aware that prenatal sex determination is illegal and there are punishments for that. Awareness must be raised among the general population in order to prevent its untoward effects.
PNDT Act, Sex Ratio, Female Feticide
