Background: Sex ratio in India, has always remained unfavorable to females. Changes in the sex ratio, reflects the underlying socioeconomic, cultural patterns of a society. A number of factors influence the relative benefits and costs of sons and daughters and ultimately the parent’s gender preferences. Objective was to study the factors that determine gender preferences among women of reproductive age group and to formulate preventive measure against gender bias.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted by interviewing married women of reproductive age group (15-49 years) attending general OPD and antenatal clinics in urban field practice (n=400) areas of Belagavi. All married women with at least one child were included in the study.Results: Son preference was seen among 137 (34.25%) women participants. Socio-economic factors like religion, literacy status, occupation, socio-economic status were significantly associated (p<0.001) with gender preference. Awareness about PCPNDT act (p<0.0001), self-deprived image (p<0.001) and the gender of previous child (p<0.000001) which was highly significant were the other factors that determined the gender preference among women. Old age dependency and growth of family were the main reasons given by women for existence of son preference and no dowry and security of girls were the two important preventive measures as opined by women for prevention of female feticide.Conclusions: This study clearly infers that son preference is prevalent among women of Belagavi and there is an intricate association of many factors which determine this gender preference. Efforts to address patriarchal gender norms, strengthening the existing laws against dowry, PCPNDT Act, educational and occupational opportunities for females are the dire needs if girls are to be perceived as important and desired in our society.

Background: The period of adolescence, beginning with the onset of puberty, is a crucial transition into adulthood. There is a substantial lacuna in the knowledge, belief and practice about menstruation. This study addresses the gap in knowledge, belief and practice regarding menstruation among adolescent girls. Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted over a period of one year, in an urban area of Belagavi among 625 adolescent girls in the age group of 16–19 years. Data was collected by house to house visit using a predesigned, pretested questionnaire. Results: The mean age (±SD) at menarche was found to be 12.8±1.73 years. Our study showed that as the knowledge increased, there was increase in the use of sanitary pad (p<0.001) and increase in the number of girls practicing cleaning of external genitalia during menstruation (p<0.01). However, it was found that 276 (50.5%) and 175 (37.7%) of the girls did not use sanitary pads and practice cleaning of external genitalia during menstruation even after having correct knowledge showing a gap in knowledge and practice. Similarly, among the 494 girls who knew that menstruation is a natural process, 93 (18.8%) girls wrongly believed she shouldn’t sleep in the same place as usual, 124 (25.1%) said she shouldn’t enter the kitchen, 186 (37.7%) believed that certain foods should be avoided and only 37 (7.5%) rightly believed that girls could go to place of worship during menstruation showing a gap in knowledge and belief. Conclusions: The study reported a gap in knowledge, belief and practice among adolescent girls. To bridge this gap causes have to be identified and addressed.