Gender preference and factors affecting gender preference of mothers attending antenatal clinic of Agartala government medical college.

ABSTRACT

Background: Consecutive decline in sex ratio of our country signals an impending crisis. Gender preference of women may have a role in determining sex ratio. Aims & Objective: To study the gender preference and the factors affecting gender preference of mothers. Material and Methods: A hospital based study was conducted during August – September 2013 among 390 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic of Agartala Government Medical College using a pretested semi-structured interview schedule. Descriptive statistics, χ2 test and logistic regression were used. Results: 40.8% had son preference, 29.7% preferred daughter and the rest had no particular preference regarding the outcome of their current pregnancy. Significantly higher son preference was observed among the rural, illiterate and nullipara or women having no male child (68.24%, 58.33% and 68.24% respectively, p < 0.05). Higher son preference was also observed among housewives (58.00%), primigravida (54.61%) and women from joint families (61.18%), though it was not significant. Preference for son was higher in both the presumed situation of having either one or multiple children. Reasons for son preference were ‘better security in old age’ 39.1%; ‘generation continuation’ 31.1%; ‘status symbol’ 18.8%; and ‘better earning’ 11.1%. Reasons for daughter preference were, ‘daughters are more trust worthy’55.1%; ‘daughters help in household work’ 19.67%; ‘daughters are laxmi of family’ 15% and non-specific reasons 10.23%. Conclusion: Improving social security at old age, facilities favouring girl children and steps for elimination of dowry from the society may help in improving the preference for girl children leading to a balanced population.