Cross Sectional Study on Knowledge and Attitude among Women in The Reproductive Age Group Towards Sex Ratio and PC& PNDT Act in Urban Field Practice Areas of Medical College, Bengaluru

Authors

  • Lovely S Livingston Sapthagiri Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Bengaluru
  • Maheswaran R Sapthagiri Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Bengaluru
  • Shruthi Shetty M Sapthagiri Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Bengaluru
  • Menta Sai Rikesh Sapthagiri Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Bengaluru
  • Daniel Ernest Sapthagiri Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Bengaluru

Keywords:

Sex ratio, PC&PNDT Act, Reproductive Age

Abstract

Introduction: Preference for a son still continues to be prevalent in modern India. In 1994, the government of India passed the Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques Act with the aim of preventing female feticide.

Objectives: To assess the knowledge and attitude of reproductive age group women towards sex determination and PC & PNDT Act in the Urban Field Practice Areas of a medical college.

Methodology: Cross sectional study was carried out from March-April 2018 in Urban Health Centers of a medical college in Bengaluru. Women above 18 years of age, visiting the Urban Health Centers after taking informed consent were included in the study. Considering the study by Deshpande SR et al, the proportion of women having knowledge of 32.49%, the sample size was 212. A Questionnaire was made for this study based on similar studies with sections on knowledge & attitude of women towards sex ratio and PC & PNDT ACT. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square was calculated using SPSS.

Results: Around 71.4% were not aware of the decline in sex ratio. 79.1% were not aware of PC and PNDT Act. Around 49.1% did not know who can be punished under the act. Educated women and those belonging to a higher socio-economic status were aware about PC & PNDT Act and decline in sex ratio.

Conclusion: Educating the community will prevent the decline in sex ratio and female feticide through PC& PNDT Act.

References

Pavithra M.B, Dhanpal S, Loknath H. A study of gender preference, knowledge and attitude regarding prenatal diagnostic techniques act among pregnant women in an urban slum in Bengaluru. Int J Community Med Public Health 2015 Aug ;2(3): 282-287.

Mahaur G, Badiger S, Shetty SM. Knowledge and attitude of men towards sex determination and PCPNDT act in the field practice area of a medical college in coastal Karnataka. . Int J Community Med Public Health 2017 Aug; 4(8) : 2912- 2918.

Deshpande SR, Rathod PG, Mankar SB, Narlawar UW. Awareness and perception regarding PCPNDT Act and gender preference among mothers of under-five attending immunization clinic. Int J Med Sci Public Health 2016;5: 1878-1882

Kumar S.S, Sreegiri S, Naidu A. A Study on Gender Preference and Awareness on Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act Among Antenatal Women in Visakhapatnam City. IOSR J Dental and Med Sciences 2015;14: 106-109.

Sharma D, MD M A, B A. Knowledge And Attitude Of Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques Act Among The Antenatal Women-A Hospital Based Study. Int J Recent Scientific Research. 2015; 6(11):7553-7555

Puri S, Bhatia V, Swami H. Gender preference and awareness regarding sex determination among married women in slums of Chandigarh. Indian J of Community Medicine. 2007;32(1):60

Sharmila V, Babu TA. Singh D. Knowledge, awareness and attitude about prenatal sex determination, pre- conception and pre-natal diagnostic techniques act among pregnant women in the South Indian union territory of Puducherry. Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol 2016;5:3470-4. ( cited 17, July 2019)

Kansal R, Marool K A, Bansal R, Parashar P. A Hospital-based Study on Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Pregnant Women on Gender Preference, Prenatal Sex Determination and Female Feticide Indian Journal of Public Health, Volume 54, Issue 4, October-December, 2010 ( cited 29, Dec 2018)

Kapoor G, Kumar D. Knowledge, attitude and practice of pregnant women on gender preference, prenatal sex determination and female feticide. Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol 2017;6:1196-9.

Khatri M, Acharya R, Sharma G (2012) Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) Related to Pre-Conception & Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC & PNDT) Act Among the Antenatal Women in Bikaner. 1: 121.

Vidit K, Chakole S V, H Gupta, Mehta S C. Gender Preference, Attitude And Awareness Regarding Sex Determination Among Married Women Attending General Opd & Antenatal Clinic Of Rdgmc Ujjain, Mp, India. Nat J Comm Med. April-June 2012.: 3(2);269-273 ( cited 17,July 2019)

K Park. Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine. 25th Edition. Bhanot Publishers.p889-890

Downloads

Published

2019-08-31

How to Cite

1.
Livingston LS, Maheswaran R, Shetty M S, Rikesh MS, Ernest D. Cross Sectional Study on Knowledge and Attitude among Women in The Reproductive Age Group Towards Sex Ratio and PC& PNDT Act in Urban Field Practice Areas of Medical College, Bengaluru. Natl J Community Med [Internet]. 2019 Aug. 31 [cited 2024 May 2];10(08):456-60. Available from: https://www.njcmindia.com/index.php/file/article/view/540

Issue

Section

Original Research Articles