Fetal sex-determination in Delhi: A population-based investigation

Abstract

A population-based cross-sectional inquiry was carried out in Delhi to assess the practice of fetal sex determination, sex-selective abortions and awareness about the related law. A total of 1514 respondents, selected through multistage cluster sampling from all across Delhi, were interviewed using a pretested, semistructured questionnaire. Legal awareness (73.6%) was significantly better among the male and urban respondents. Only 39 (2.6%) of the respondents had ever gone for fetal sex determination. In 17 (43.6%) of them, it was done in spite of being aware of its unlawfulness, and in 33 (84.6%), the couple had one or more living male children. Frequency of fetal sex determination was comparable for slum and urban areas. Fifty-six additional cases of fetal sex determination, occurring in the neighbourhood of the respondents, were also reported. A total of 28 cases of female feticide were reported. Awareness about the illegality of fetal sex determination has improved, compared with the 1997-1998 data collected from East Delhi (55.3-73.6%). However, this comparison also shows a marginal increase in the practice of fetal sex determination (2.1-2.6%). In all cases of feticide, a qualified doctor was involved. A number of couples abandoned the abortion plan midway, even after detecting that the fetus was female, and there were occasional cases where the doctor refused to abort the female fetus.

Obstetric ultrasound use in low and middle income countries: a narrative review

“…In India, the male-dominant sex ratio for children under 5 years is thought to be associated with fetal sex determination and sex-selective abortions [ 1 ]. A population-based study in Delhi, India found that 56% of respondents either did not know that fetal sex determination was illegal or thought that it was lawful [ 9 , 41 ]. In the same study, 2.6% of respondents had ever requested fetal sex determination and when the female sex of the fetus was disclosed, over 63% of them were aborted [ 9 , 41 ].…”

“…A population-based study in Delhi, India found that 56% of respondents either did not know that fetal sex determination was illegal or thought that it was lawful [ 9 , 41 ]. In the same study, 2.6% of respondents had ever requested fetal sex determination and when the female sex of the fetus was disclosed, over 63% of them were aborted [ 9 , 41 ]. In a study in Nepal, 6.8% of surveyed pregnant women received ultrasound exams for fetal sex determination despite it being unlawful [ 42 ].…”

“…Fourth, training programs should sensitize health providers in legal and ethical conduct regarding ultrasound use and towards patients’ desire for being informed about their care [ 2 ]. This is because overuse and misuse [ 2 , 37 – 39 ], determining fetal sex [ 1 , 5 , 9 , 41 ] and the lack of communication between health providers and patients were found to be major concerns regarding ultrasound use in LMICs [ 2 ].…”

Review: indications for ultrasound use in low‐ and middle‐income countries

“…A population‐based study from Delhi documented that 2.3% of ultrasounds were performed to determine the gender, which is illegal in India. Thirty per cent (30%) were unaware of the fact that this was illegal, and half of the couples with a known female foetus obtained an illegal induced abortion; none of the male foetuses were aborted (Chaturvedi et al. 2007).…”