Perception regarding skewed sex ratio among reproductive age group females in an urban slum of Haryana

http://dx.doi.org/10.21276/IJRDPL.22780238.2017.6(7).2901-2905 ABSTRACT: Objective: The steep downfall in the child sex ratio is a prime indicator of lack of women empowerment, respect and esteem or worth in the society. Women make up for almost half of the total population of India, but they still lag behind men in a lot of areas. The present study assessed the perception of reproductive mothers about declining sex ratio. Methods: The study was a community based epidemiological study with cross‐sectional design and carried out by house to house visit in an urban slum of district Rohtak and duration was January to June 2017. The study recruited 500 reproductive age group female having age 15-49 years. Results: The present study found that that most of the participants (49%) were in the age group of 25–35 years, 35% of subjects were either illiterate or literate up to primary class and nearly half (55%) of study subjects were belonged to upper caste and 31% of individuals from backward class. Conclusion: The study concluded that factors mainly responsible for down sex ratio are dowry culture and son preference. Besides, poor female literacy and sharp increase in number of ultrasound machines have also contributed to the skewed sex ratio.