A study on attitude of parents on gender preference and prenatal diagnostic test in an urban community of Sambalpur, a tribal district of India

Background: In India the overwhelming preference for sons coupled with inclination for a small family and availability of prenatal diagnostic test has resulted in the decreasing sex ratio. So the aim of the study was to find out the attitude of parents towards sex preference of the child and use of prenatal diagnostic test. Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted in the urban area of Sambalpur in the year 2011. By simple random sampling a total of 200 families were selected which consisted of both the parents with at least one male and one female child of 0-6 years of age. Both the parents were questioned regarding sex preference of additional child and attitude towards Pre Natal Diagnostic Technique (PNDT). Chi-square and z tests were applied. Results: Among the parents who wanted an additional child 62-64% had two children and 30% had three children. Majority i.e., 78% fathers and 81% mothers, who expected another child preferred son. Highest son preference was seen among mothers of middle class (86.7%) and illiterate mothers (84.7%). Also 51.5% fathers and 47.3% mothers favoured PNDT. Parents belonging to Upper class favoured PNDT more than the lower class (x2 = 6.73, df = 2, P < 0.05). Conclusion: Education and employment opportunities for women and effective implementation of PNDT act hold key solutions to this problem.