Preference on prenatal sex determination and its associated factors among currently married women of reproductive age group in Puducherry, India

Background: Sex determination refers to knowing the sex of foetus during prenatal period for non-medical reasons. Attitude of married women to sex determination is important to improve the sex ratio at birth. Aim and Objectives: This study aimed to assess preference on sex determination and associated factors among currently married reproductive age group women. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional community-based study was done during 2016–2017 among 2228 currently married women of 18–49 years' age group in urban and rural Puducherry, India. Information on the demographic characteristics, level of awareness and preference for sex determination was obtained. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify factors influencing preference for sex determination. Unadjusted and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) as a measure of effects was used. Results: Of 1979 respondents, all were aware that sex determination is possible. Majority of them did not prefer sex determination (95.4%, 1888). About 80 (4.0%) preferred, while 11 (0.6%) were undecided about it. Majority of them were aware that sex determination without medical indication is a crime. Common source of information was healthcare workers (76.4%). After adjusting for confounders, age group (18–24, AOR = 5.334; 25–29, AOR = 3.249; 30–34, AOR = 3.857; 35–39, AOR = 2.279), middle level education (AOR = 2.3), those with unmet need for family planning (AOR = 2.970) and urban area (AOR = 67.679) subjects were preferred more; housewife (AOR = 0.481) and those without living son (AOR = 0.406) had preferred lesser for sex determination compared to their counterparts. Conclusion: About one in 25 currently married women preferred sex determination. It is comparatively more in urban areas. High-risk groups should be educated to develop correct awareness and attitude on prenatal sex determination.