Masculinisation with Increasing Parity in Agroha Village of Haryana

Abstract

Introduction: The proportion of girls “missing” has risen sharply, there are obvious moral and human concerns generated by such extreme manifestation of gender inequity. In India, increase in overall sex ratio shown by the 2011 census is applauded at several forums. However, decline in the child sex ratio i.e. number of girls to boys in 0-6 years age group fell from 927 in 2001 to 914 in 2011. It is the lowest since independence. Haryana is among the most affected state regarding imbalance of child sex ratio. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the present child sex ratio and its trend in Agroha village of Haryana. Material and Methods: This community based cross sectional study was conducted in Agroha village of Haryana. Five hundred and fifteen mothers having children in the age group of less than 6 years were selected for the study. The primary tool in this study was predesigned and pretested interview schedule for recording of family and individual information. Data were analyzed by using appropriate statistical tests (viz. Proportions, Mean ± SD, Chi-square test etc.). Results: With increasing parity significant decline in child sex ratio was observed. Sex Ratio for 1st birth order children was 929 females per 1000 males. It fell in the 2nd birth order to 830, 3rd birth order to 699, 4th birth order to 462, 5th birth order to 417 and still further to only 308 for 6th birth order. There was a significant linear relationship between adverse child sex ratio in the study population with increasing birth order. Conclusion: As masculinisation with increasing parity was observed in the study area, it is concluded that Haryana has yet a long way to go in her fight against declining child sex ratio.