European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background:The practice of gender based killing of females has been prevalent in the
Indian society since eons. In the recent years, medical research in prenatal sex
determination has given a fillip to the practice leading to female feticide at a large scale
resulting in skewed sex ratio.Objectives:To assess the perception and awareness about
female feticide among school children.Study Design:A crosssectional study
Materials and Methods: The study collected information regarding awareness and
perception about female feticide among school children in the age group of 11-18 years
using multiple choice questionnaires. A total of 548 students were included in the study.
They were drawn from patients who had come to attend the Pediatric OPD of Rajindra
Hospital and Government Medical College, Patiala.
Results: Out of 548 students, 58.57% were aware of female feticide. Majority of
students (70 %) felt that discrimination among boys and girls was prevalent in the
society.86.3% of students who were aware of the continuing female feticide were of the
opinion that female feticide should be stopped as it had a deleterious effect on the
society. Regarding the perception about stopping the practice of female feticide,
27%expressed the opinion that awareness at the level of society would be effective,
while 12 % opined in favour of school education ,abolishing dowry was supported by 25
% and 18 % were of the opinion that equal rights to girls would be effective.
Conclusion: The level of awareness about the practice of female feticide was abysmal
among school children in Patiala district and almost all who were aware of the practice
were of the opinion that it should be stoppedPediatric OPD, Feticide