Gender determination and gender gap: A cross sectional comparative study of mothers attending under five immunisation clinics in urban and rural areas

Abstract

Background: Sex ratio is an important sociodemographic characteristic of the country reflecting the status of its women and underlying socioeconomic and cultural patterns. PC-PNDT law is in place since so many years still sex determination is prevalent. Here not only doctors but the parents are also equally responsible for propagating this social evil as most of them are unaware about the Act and its legal implications and consequences of the declining sex ratio. Methods: Study was conducted over a period of 24 months from December 2018 to November 2018 in Immunisation OPD of a tertiary health care centre and a primary health centre with a sample size of 117 in both areas. Simple Random sampling method was used and analysis was done using SPSS software. Results: Out of 234 mothers approximately 70% were aware that pre-natal sex determination can be done. About 40% were aware that it is illegal, 30% said that ultrasonography is used for doing it, 20% said that both doctor and parents are punished under this act. Only 5% were aware about the correct punishment under this Act. Awareness regarding the place, method, legality and punishment was more among mothers of urban area as compared to rural area. Education and socioeconomic status was associated with awareness. Conclusion: Creating awareness in the general public and specifically mothers regarding the Act and consequences of its violation. Comprehensive behavioural change communication activities can be done through mass media for educating the people regarding the effect of declining sex ratio.

Keywords

• mothers
• prenatal
• sex determination