Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Department of Community Medicine (PSM), Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College & General Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra
2 Indian Institute of Public Health (PHFI), Hyderabad, India
Abstract
Background: Sex ratio, an important social indicator measuring extent of prevailing equity
between males and females in society, is defined as number of females per 1000 males.
Changes in sex ratio reflect underlying socioeconomic, cultural patterns of a society. As
per 2011 census sex ratio in India is 914/1000 males, which continues to be significantly
adverse towards women. Objectives: This study was conducted to assess the knowledge
and attitude regarding Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques (PNDT) Act among the pregnant
women at a tertiary care teaching hospital in Mumbai. Materials and Methods: A crosssectional study was carried out in the antenatal ward of Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical
College and General Hospital, Mumbai during the period of January to April 2008. A total
of 143 women were included and a pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire was used
to get information regarding socio-demographic details of the pregnant women. They were
asked regarding the knowledge and attitude towards the PNDT Act. Data was analyzed by
using Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) 16.0. Results: In the present study,
out of 143 women, 105 (73.5%) knew about sex determination. Even out of those who
had heard, the correct knowledge regarding PNDT act was very less. Sonography as a
technique for sex determination done at private hospital was known to the majority of women.
Conclusion: Education of women about gender equality and recommendations under PNDT
act in order to improve declining sex ratio in our country must be done. Wide publicization
in the media of the Act must be scaled up.
Keywords
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