Gender preference among reproductive age group women in rural area

Abstract

Background: Skewed sex ratio is an issue of major concern and has long-term social and demographic consequences. In India, the preference for a son is very strong.  The preference for a male child and discrimination against the female child are causing the rapid disappearance of female children in India. The main objective was to study the gender preference among rural married women in reproductive age group. Methods:  A community based cross sectional study on 220 rural married women of age group 15 to 49 years was carried out in Vishnupuri village of Nanded district in Maharashtra state, India. Information regarding gender preference, expected number of male or female children, awareness regarding PCPNDT act etc. was asked. A predesigned semi structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Results: Out of 220 study subjects, majority of women i.e. 209 (95%) said that they will prefer male child as first issue. 105 (47.7%) women said that they expect children in 1male:1female proportion, followed by 2males:1female proportion by 42 (19.1%) women. 130 (59.1%) have heard about PCPNDT act and not a single women tried for sex determination during her ANC period.    Conclusions:  A strong preference to male child has been observed in females of reproductive age in rural area.