Knowledge on Female Feticide of Pregnant Women in Rajasthan

Background: ex ratio is defined as the number of females per thousand males. The objectives were to study the knowledge, attitude and the practice of pregnant women on gender preference, prenatal sex determination and female feticide. Methods: It was a hospital based cross-sectional study. The present study was undertaken among the 204 newly registered pregnant women attending the hospital in Marh block of Jammu district, Jammu and Kashmir, India. A pre-designed, pre-tested and structured questionnaire was used in the study. The data collection technique was a personnel interview of the study subjects. Results: Out of 500 pregnant women 62% had shown no gender preference, 23% preferred male child and 15% had preferred to have female child. Regarding awareness, 88% and 90% women knew that prenatal sex determination and female feticide are illegal, respectively. Conclusions: Being the civilized citizens, it is our duty to raise voice against the declining sex ratio and killing of girl child. Being a woman it is our primary duty as well as concern to come forward to stop this menace.