Awareness regarding pre-conception and pre-natal diagnostic techniques act among women in a rural community of Puducherry

Abstract

Context: Child sex ratio of the nation has been declining since few decades. Aims: The objectives of this study are to find out awareness about Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC-PNDT) act among ever-married women and to determine their sociodemographic factors influencing this awareness. Settings and Designs: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at a rural primary health center of Puducherry. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a rural primary health center in Puducherry among 200 ever-married women in reproductive age group. Information regarding their awareness about PC-PNDT Act was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Statistical Analysis Used: Chi square-test was done for analyzing the categorical data. Results: Among the ever-married women, about 30 (15%) were not aware about the provisions of PC-PNDT Act, while 170 (85%) were aware about it. No significant association was found between sociodemographic variables and awareness about the Act. Conclusions: Majority of the ever-married women in the study setting were aware of the provisions of PC-PNDT Act.

Keywords

• Child sex ratio
• ever-married women
• Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act
• prenatal sex determination