Sex Ratios at Birth Among Indian Immigrant Subgroups According to Time Spent in Canada

Brar, Amanpreet; Wanigaratne, Susitha; Pulver, Ariel; Ray, Joel G.; Urquia, Marcelo L.

doi:10.1016/j.jogc.2017.01.002

Cited by 13 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Similar male‐biased SRB have been observed in immigrant populations of other countries, particularly the Indian‐ and/or Chinese‐born populations of Spain, Canada, (including second‐generation mothers), Norway (although some research contradicts this), Sweden, Greece, Italy, Australia, and the United States . These trends are most evident with higher birth orders; women in these demographics with two or more girls are generally much more likely to have a boy in following pregnancies.…”

Section: Current Evidence For Sex Selectionmentioning

confidence: 54%

Sex selection and non‐invasive prenatal testing: A review of current practices, evidence, and ethical issues

et al. 2019

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Non‐invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) can determine the sex of the fetus very accurately and very early in gestation. There are concerns that the ease, timing, and accuracy of NIPT sex determination will facilitate sex‐selective termination of pregnancy (TOP). Here, we review current practices, the evidence for a link between NIPT and sex‐selective TOP, and associated ethical issues. Sex‐selective TOP, usually motivated by son preference, has had serious demographic consequences in countries such as India and China. Currently, ultrasound is the primary method by which parents determine the sex of the fetus. The diffusion of ultrasound technology has had a direct impact on the rates of sex‐selective TOP. Although NIPT is currently more costly, it is feasible that increased uptake of this technology could have a similar effect. Partly because NIPT is a relatively recent development in prenatal screening, there is little data on the impact of NIPT on sex selection practices. Evidence that NIPT is playing a role in sex‐selective TOP remains largely anecdotal. Further research is required to assess and quantify TOP resulting from NIPT sex determination. The use of these technologies for sex selection raises a number of ethical issues, in addition to practical demographic consequences.

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Section: Current Evidence For Sex Selectionmentioning

confidence: 54%

Sex selection and non‐invasive prenatal testing: A review of current practices, evidence, and ethical issues

et al. 2019

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“… 22 In another study, high M/F ratios were observed to persist independently of duration of residence in Canada among Indian immigrants. 23 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Male-biased sex ratios in Australian migrant populations: a population-based study of 1 191 250 births 1999–2015

Edvardsson

Axmon

Powell

et al. 2018

International Journal of Epidemiology

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BackgroundThe naturally occurring male-to-female (M/F) ratio at birth is 1.05. Higher ratios found primarily in countries across Asia have been attributed to prenatal sex selection due to son preference. There is growing evidence that sex-selective practices continue following migration; however, little is known about these practices following migration to Australia.MethodsIn this population-based study we assessed M/F ratios at birth per mother’s country of birth for all registered births 1999–2015 in Victoria, Australia (n = 1 191 250). We also compared the M/F ratio among births to mothers born elsewhere to that of mothers born in Australia, stratified by time period and parity.ResultsCompared with the naturally occurring M/F ratio as well as to the M/F ratio among births to mothers born in Australia, there was an increased ratio of male births to mothers born in India, China and South-East Asia, particularly at higher parities and in more recent time periods (elevated M/F ratios ranged from 1·079 to 1·248, relative risks of male birth ranged from 1·012 to 1·084 with confidence intervals between 1·001 and 1·160 and P-values between 0·005 and 0·039). The most male-biased sex ratios were found among multiple births to Indian-born mothers, and parity of two or more births to Indian and Chinese-born mothers in 2011–15.ConclusionsThe male-biased sex ratios observed in this study indicate that prenatal sex selection may be continuing following migration to Australia from countries where these practices have been documented. The excess of males among multiple births raises the question as to what role assisted reproduction plays. Findings also suggest that systematic discrimination against females starts in the womb.

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“…Son-biased sex ratios were not found among mothers who immigrated from China to Canada. 13 However son-biased sex ratios were found among Indian immigrant mothers residing in both Canada 11 and Sweden 9 and were present after more than 10 years since arrival.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sex ratios at birth among second-generation mothers of South Asian ethnicity in Ontario, Canada: a retrospective population-based cohort study

Wanigaratne

Uppal

Bhangoo³

et al. 2018

J Epidemiol Community Health

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BackgroundSon-biased sex ratios at birth (M:F), an extreme manifestation of son preference, are predominately found in East and South Asia. Studies have examined sex ratios among first-generation migrants from these regions, but few have examined second-generation descendants. Our objective was to determine whether son-biased sex ratios persist among second-generation mothers with South Asian ethnicity in Ontario, Canada.MethodologyA surname algorithm identified a population-based cohort of mothers with South Asian ethnicity who gave birth in Ontario between 1993 and 2014 (n=59 659). Linking to official immigration data identified births to first-generation mothers (ie, immigrants). Births not to immigrants were designated as being to second-generation mothers (ie, born in Canada) (n=10 273). Sex ratios and 95% CI were stratified by the sex of previous live births and by whether it was preceded by ≥1 abortion for both first-generation and second-generation mothers.ResultsAmong mothers with two previous daughters and at least one prior abortion since the second birth, both second-generation mothers and first-generation mothers had elevated sex ratios at the third birth (2.80 (95% CI 1.36 to 5.76) and 2.46 (95% CI 1.93 to 3.12), respectively). However, among mothers with no prior abortion, second-generation mothers had a normal sex ratio, while first-generation mothers gave birth to 142 boys for every 100 girls (95% CI 125 to 162 boys for every 100 girls).ConclusionSon preference persists among second-generation mothers of South Asian ethnicity. Culturally sensitive and community-driven gender equity interventions are needed.

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Sex Ratios at Birth Among Indian Immigrant Subgroups According to Time Spent in Canada

Abstract: Among the Punjabi and Hindi women with two previous daughters, longer duration of residence did not attenuate son-biased M:F ratios at the third birth. Gender equity promotion may focus on Punjabi- and Hindi-speaking Indian immigrant women regardless of how long they have lived in Canada.

Cited by 13 publications

References 16 publications

Sex selection and non‐invasive prenatal testing: A review of current practices, evidence, and ethical issues

Sex selection and non‐invasive prenatal testing: A review of current practices, evidence, and ethical issues

Male-biased sex ratios in Australian migrant populations: a population-based study of 1 191 250 births 1999–2015

Sex ratios at birth among second-generation mothers of South Asian ethnicity in Ontario, Canada: a retrospective population-based cohort study

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