RAJIV GANDHI UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES,

BANGALORE

PROFORMA FOR REGISTRATION OF SUBJECT FOR

SYNOPSIS

MISS. ANNIE SINY A

FIRST YEAR M.Sc. NURSING

OBSTETRIC AND GYNAECOLOGY NURSING

YEAR 2011 –13

CAPITOL COLLEGE OF NURSING

J.P. NAGAR, 7TH PHASE,

BANGALORE
 RAJIV GANDHI UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES

BANGALORE, KARNATAKA.

PROFORMA FOR REGISTRATION OF SUBJECT FOR

SYNOPSIS

Ms. ANNIE SINY A

1
NAME OF THE CANDIDATE AND The Capitol College of
ADDRESS Nursing,
No.1, 9th cross, RBI Layout,
J.P. Nagar, 7th Phase,
Bangalore-560 078

2 NAME OF THE INSTITUTION Capitol College Of Nursing

3 COURSE OF THE STUDY AND 1st Year M.sc Nursing

SUBJECT

4 DATE OF ADMISSION TO THE 15-10-2011

COURSE

5 TITLE OF TOPIC "A comparative study to

assess the knowledge on
female foeticide among rural
and urban eligible couples in
selected areas at Bangalore."
6. BRIEF RESUME FOR THE INTENDED WORK

6.1 INTRODUCTION

The killing of women exists in various forms in societies the world over. However,
Indian society displays some unique and particularly brutal versions, such as dowry deaths and
sati. Female foeticide is an extreme manifestation of violence against women. Female foetuses
are selectively aborted after pre-natal sex determination, thus avoiding the birth of girls. As a
result of selective abortion, between 35 and 40 million girls and women are missing from the
Indian population. In some parts of the country, the sex ratio of girls to boys has dropped to less
than 800:1,000. The United Nations has expressed serious concern about the situation.1

The term “foeticide” is a combination of the Latin words fetus and caedo which means to
kill an unborn child. The practice of female foeticide involves the detection of the sex of the
unborn child in the womb of the mother and the decision to abort it if the sex of the child is
detected as a girl.2

The woman ‘gave in’ centuries ago and she is still ‘giving in’. Women started to suffer
from the day they developed the gift of feelings and emotions. She is still suffering. Man has
come a long way, he has become ‘civilized’, but his instinct to dominate over the weaker sex has
remained, in fact it has turned into an obsession, a need, with time. With ‘civilization’ the tools
of oppression have become more ‘civilized’, more sophisticated, cultivated, advanced and techno
savvy. In fact the whole process of advancement can be traced in the process of suppression of
women.3
 The life of a woman in India is often marked by such disrespect that some feel it is better
for the family, and even for the baby girl, that she not be born. Perhaps the greatest factor in this
is the practice of dowries. One slogan of the female feticide industry is "better 500 rupees now
[for an abortion] rather than 50,000 rupees later [for a dowry]." The first amount equals about
$11 (USD), the second about $1,100. India has a longstanding tradition of requiring a wife's
family to support her financially in her marriage. This begins with a dowry of extraordinary sums
of cash, gold, and goods.

Defenders of this system point out that a dowry takes the place of inheritance, which
some women in India do not receive. However, in many cases the groom's parents take
possession of the dowry and do not set any of it aside for the bride's future use. Furthermore, the
bride's family's responsibilities extend to further supporting the new family in substantial ways,
beyond the initial dowry. Some Indian castes even require a wife's family to cover her funeral
expenses. Some brides have been rejected by the groom's families and even killed because their
families did not meet the groom's family's expectations for dowry. All these cultural and
financial factors act as disincentives for Indian families to permit their girl babies to be born. 4

Ultrasonography is being used as a non-invasive technique for sex determination, even in

remote areas and even quacks has access to them. In 1994, the Government of India enacted the
PNDT (Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques) Act, that made revealing the sex of the foetus a
criminal offence. The need of the hour is to stress upon other avenues or alternatives that can
strengthen the law and can bring about the desired social change. One such alternative to
increase the awareness in the community about female foeticide, so that people can identify it as
a social problem and can further try to curb it. 5
 6.2 NEED FOR THE STUDY

A sloka of Atharvaveda says “The birth of a girl, grant it elsewhere. Here, grant a son.”
Thousands of years later, this thing stands very true in modern times as well, when, despite the
so called modernity, industrialization, literacy and equality, parents still pray thus. The
constitution of India guarantees equality for women. It has empowered the state to adopt
measures for affirmative discrimination in favour of women and it has imposed a fundamental
duty on its citizens to uphold the dignity of women. The preference for sons or more number of
sons than daughters has been documented in several countries in the world. Particularly in India,
the preference for a son is very strong and pervasive and it has been frequently cited as one of
the major obstacles in the way of reducing the national fertility level. The preference for a male
child and discrimination against the female child are causing the rapid disappearance of female
children in India. 35 million females were found to be missing according to the census of 2001,
which was 32 million during 1991. As per the census of 2011, the child sex ratio of India has
declined from 927 to 914 females per 1000 males, which is the lowest since the country’s
independence and in Karnataka the sex ratio is 936 females per 1000 males. Female foeticide is
one of the extreme manifestations of violence against women-a social problem that is now
spreading unchecked across the country. Female foetuses are selectively being aborted after pre-
natal sex determination, thus denying a girl’s ‘RIGHT TO LIFE’. 5

The killing of women exists in various forms in societies the world over. However,
Indian society displays some unique and particularly brutal versions, such as dowry deaths and
sati. Female foeticide is an extreme manifestation of violence against women. Female foetuses
are selectively aborted after pre-natal sex determination, thus avoiding the birth of girls. As a
result of selective abortion, between 35 and 40 million girls and women are missing from the
Indian population. In some parts of the country, the sex ratio of girls to boys has dropped to less
than 800:1,000. The United Nations has expressed serious concern about the situation1.

The sex ratio has altered consistently in favour of boys since the beginning of the 20th
century, and the effect has been most pronounced in the states of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi. It
was in these states that private foetal sex determination clinics were first established and the
practice of selective abortion became popular from the late 1970s. Worryingly, the trend is far
stronger in urban rather than rural areas, and among literate rather than illiterate women,
exploding the myth that growing affluence and spread of basic education alone will result in the
erosion of gender bias.1

Sex selective abortions cases have become a significant social phenomenon in several
parts of India. It transcends all castes, class and communities and even the North South
dichotomy. The girl children become target of attack even before they are born. Diaz, (1988)
states that in a well-known Abortion Centre in Mumbai, after undertaking the sex determination
tests, out of the 15,914 abortions performed during 1984-85 almost 100 per cent were those of
girl foetuses. Similarly, a survey report of women’s centre in Mumbai found that out of 8,000
foetuses aborted in six city hospitals 7,999 foetuses were of girls (Gangrade, 1988: 63-70). It is
reported that about 4,000 female babies are aborted in Tamil Nadu (southern India) every year.
Sex determination tests are widely resorted to even in the remotest rural areas. Since most
deliveries in rural areas take place at home there is no record of the exact number of births/deaths
that take place. Therefore, it is difficult to assess the magnitude of the problem. However, the
fact remains that the right to be born are being denied to the female child. Since all religions
treated abortion as immoral, and contrary to divine law, this blanket ban on abortion, resulted in
illegal abortions and risking the life of the woman.6

In countries such as China and India, the practice of infanticide continued into the 20th
century. However, the 1970s saw a dramatic drop in the girl-to-boy ratio in India, when abortion
was legalized and ultrasound technology enabled families to determine the sex of their child by
the fourth month of pregnancy. By 2005 the ratio slipped to 814 girls for every 1,000 boys, as
opposed to the natural rate of 952 girls for every 1,000 boys. 4

According to the British medical journal Lancet, approximately 50 million girl fetuses
have been victims of feticide in China. In India the number is estimated at 43 million. &
approximately seven million more are credited to Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, and South
Korea. Because China and India account for 40% of the world's population, an imbalance in
these two countries alone has a profound impact on global population statistics.³ According to a
December 2007 UNICEF report, India is "missing" 7,000 girls per day or 2.5 million each year.4

Gender discrimination is a complex phenomenon, occurring as it does at the interface of

cultural attitudes, deep-rooted prejudices, socio-economic pressures and the spread and misuse of
modern medical technology. Today modern medical facility allows for the determination of the
sex of the foetus. These pre-natal diagnostic techniques are now being rampantly misused to
determine the sex of the foetus and abort it if it is a female foetus. Female foeticide is emerging
as major social problem, especially since the past one or two decades when these techniques
became available and popular. There are various measures and laws formulated by the
government to prevent this malaise but this practice is now spreading to the urban and rural area
also due to lack of awareness about female foeticide. Some independent variables like age,
education, occupation, caste etc may be affecting the awareness level of any target group.
Therefore, the present study was conducted to compare the awareness of the rural and urban
eligible couples about female foeticide.7

A population based study was conducted in rural areas of Ludhiana District in 2010 to
assess the intergenerational differences in knowledge of rural women towards female foeticide in
Ludhiana. . Data were collected through interview schedule. Results indicated that both the
generations were aware of the practice of female foeticide and sex selective abortions. Majority
of the respondents in the 2nd generation had the knowledge of imbalanced sex ratio, the legal
aspects and the impact of female foeticide as compared to the 1st generation. Overall highly
significant differences were observed in the knowledge level of both the generations.2
6.3 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

"A comparative study to assess the knowledge on female foeticide among rural and urban
eligible couples in selected areas at Bangalore."

6.4 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:

1. To assess the knowledge regarding female foeticide among eligible couples in rural
areas.

2. To assess the knowledge regarding female foeticide among eligible couples in urban
areas.

3. To compare the knowledge regarding female foeticide between rural and urban eligible
couples.

4. To determine the association between knowledge on female foeticide and demographic

variables of rural and urban eligible couples.

6.5 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION :

1. Comparative study :
A study to compare the mean knowledge between rural and urban eligible
couples regarding female foeticide.
 2. Knowledge :
It refers to the ability of eligible couples in understanding information on female
foeticide, which is measured through responses towards questionnaire prepared by the
investigator.

3. Female foeticide :
It refers to aborting a female foetus after sex determination test or prenatal
diagnostic test among the rural and urban eligible couples.

4. Rural :
The population residing in interior place of Bangalore.

5. Urban :
The population residing in city area.

6. Eligible couple :
It refers to a currently married couples wherein the wife is in the reproductive age
,which is generally assumed to lie between the ages of 15-45 years , among the rural and urban in
selected areas at Bangalore.

6.6 ASSUMPTIONS :

1. Eligible couple may not have adequate knowledge regarding female foeticide.

2. Eligble couples from rural area may have less knowledge than those who from urban
area.
6.7 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

H1 : There will be significant difference between knowledge on female foeticide

among rural and urban eligible couples.

H2 : There will be significant association between knowledge and demographic

variable of eligible couples.

6.3. REVIEW OF LITERATURE

A population based study was conducted in selected Bikaner panchayat samiti of

Bikaner district (Rajasthan) to assess the Awareness of the Rural and Urban Women about
Female Foeticide. A sample of 320 respondents comprising 160 respondents from rural area and
160 respondents from urban area were selected through random sampling method. Findings
revealed that (55%) rural respondents and (70%) urban respondents had medium awareness
about female foeticide. Further results indicated that caste; mass media exposure and socio
economic status had positive and significant association with awareness of rural and urban
respondents about female foeticide..7

An explorative study was done to explore the income strata and rural – urban variations
in extent and justification for female foeticide/ infanticide, and to capture the linkages between
male child preference with the gender system and the practice of female foeticide/ infanticide in
rural, semi-urban and urban areas of three districts (Amritsar, Jalandhar and Bhatinda) of Punjab.
Data was collected from three income groups upper, middle, and lower class, through interviews.
Findings indicated that 19.4% of the respondents resorted to abortion because a female foetus
was detected, and they wanted a male child. Resort to female foeticide was reported mostly by
the middle income group (23.2%), followed by upper income group (18.3%) and least by the
lower income group (15.5%). 8

A population based cross sectional study done with the objective of comparing some
Parameters (attitude & practice) of gender discrimination (GD) in rural and urban areas of
Ahmedabad district. A population of 963 (446 urban & 517 rural) showed alarmingly adverse
sex ratio (SR) as low as 562 among urban preschoolers. GD was prevalent in both study areas
but manifested differently. Preference of male child by both partners an indicator of gender
discrimination was seen in both areas, It correlated with female literacy, their low mean age at
marriage and first conception. While urban areas showed more adverse sex ratio coupled with
awareness and use of Ultrasonography (USG) for sex determination and poor employment status,
Rural areas exhibited (along with adverse sex ratio) poor literacy and employment status of
females and poor contraceptive use9.

A cross sectional, Community based, Descriptive study was undertaken to assess the
Knowledge, Attitude and Practice regarding gender preference and female feticide among
pregnant women attending antenatal clinic of G. G Hospital Gujarath. A pre-tested and pre-
structured questionnaire was used to collect information. Of the 195 pregnant women selected
for the study, 70.3% were from urban area and 29.7% from rural area. Out of 195 women
studied, 114 (58.5%) gave preference to male child and (54.4%) women were aware about
consequences of female feticide. This study revealed that socio-demographic factors affect
gender preference. Preference to male child was higher among rural women (70.68%) than that
of the urban women (53.28%). The awareness of consequences of female feticide grew with
literacy status. It was 35% among illiterate women, 53.4% in primary level literacy and 73.13%
in secondary and above. 10

A study was conducted to assess the Attitude and knowledge of rural couples regarding
female foeticides n Allahabad. Total sample size from both the villages was 100 married couples.
The impact was tested by introducing the package to 30 couples and then assessing the post –
exposure knowledge gain. It was found that the existing knowledge level about female foeticide
was low for almost all couples, while the attitude of most couples was highly unfavourable
towards female foeticide. Factors found to be significantly associated with the attitude of couples
were number of daughters, distance from sex determination clinic, monthly income and mass
media contact, and those significantly associated with knowledge were monthly income, mass
media contact, education and number of sons. The impact of the package was found to be
significant on knowledge but not on attitude.11

A population based study was conducted to assess the awareness and attitude on female
foeticide among women in rural areas at Haryana. Sample size were 400.it was found that the
existing awareness knowledge level regarding female foeticide was low for almost all women
and the attitude was highly unfavourable towards female foeticide.12

A study was conducted to assess the knowledge and explore the causative factors and
Circumstances leading to the practice of female foeticide and infanticide in some districts of
Tamil Nadu, and suggest measures for its prevention. The study covered 50 respondents and
revealed that their awareness level was low regarding female foeticide and female infanticide
was concentrated more among illiterate respondents in the age group 30-49 years, whose
occupation was primarily agriculture and allied activities. Girls are considered a liability and
burden leading to the practice of female infanticide. The study recommended increase in the
sources of irrigation to generate rural self employment, opening of family counselling centres,
organising women's social action groups, and enacting and enforcing legislation to prevent
female foeticide and infanticide.13

A study was conducted in 20 villages of Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan.to know the

factors associated with son preference and female foeticide and infanticide. A population of more
than 1000 was selected using systematic random sampling method. Data was collected through
Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), from both, male and female members of the community. The
majority of respondents (41.7%) were 21-25 years and (37.5%) were 30 years of age Information
related to infant deaths revealed that out of 58 infants who died, around 57% were girls. The
study indicated that the practice of female foeticide and infanticide is still prevalent in some
pockets of Rajasthan. 14

A study was conducted to assess the the effectiveness of planned teaching program on
knowledge and attitude regarding female foeticide among college students in Mumbai. Samples
consisted of 150 college students which comprised of 75 boys and 75 girls in the age group of 18
to 25. Result shows that there was gain in knowledge and attitude scores of college students. The
overall pre test knowledge scores of college students were 47% which is increased to 84% in
post test. The study revealed that if additional information is given regarding female foeticide
and its problems and prevention there would be enhanced awareness which will help in maintain
gender equalities.15

A study was conducted to assess the knowledge and attitude of medical students and
interns regarding female foeticide. Samples consisted of 62 interns and 39 MBBS students. Out
of 100 medical undergraduates, 57% were males and 43% females. Result shows that they had
moderate knowledge among female foeticide and its methods but less awareness regarding
impact of female foeticide. The study revealed that there is a need to sensitize tomorrow’s
doctors about the ethics related to the inappropriate and indiscriminate use of technology. 16

A cross sectional, Community based, Descriptive study was undertaken to assess the
Knowledge, Attitude and Practice regarding gender preference and female feticide among
teachers in Hassan. Total 127 participants were interviewed with the help of predesigned, semi-
structure proforma. Out of 127 participants, 65% said that Ultrasound is the technique for Pre
Natal Sex Determination Test (PNDT). 80% said that Private hospital is the area for sex
determination test. While asked reasons for son preference, 38.5% said they carries the name of
 the family, 27.5% said that source of income or dowry. 52% of them aware regarding PNDT Act.
80% have got the information regarding female feticide and gender preference from the media.5

A cross sectional study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice
regarding gender preference and female foeticide among pregnant women attending antenatal
clinic of RIMS hospital Kadapa. Out of 195 women studied,114 (58.5%) gave preference to male
child; the major reasons for this being social responsibilities are carried out by males (42.5%),
for propagation of family name (23%), dependable in the old age (16%), pressure from family
(11%), to perform cremation (4%), dowry (3%) and females are economic liability(3%). The
study revealed that socio-demographic factors affect gender preferences while education
increases awareness regarding the consequences of adverse sex ratio.17

7. MATERIALS AND METHODS:

7.1 SOURCE OF DATA :

Eligible couples from urban and rural areas.

7.2METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION

i. Research design :

Non experimental design of comparative study will be used as a research design

ii. Study variables :

1. Knowledge level of rural and urban eligible couples.

 2. Age, Education, Occupation, economic status.

iii. Setting :

The study will be conducted at rural and urban areas at Bangalore.

iv. Population of study :

Eligible couples in rural and urban areas at Bangalore.

v. Sample:

Sample consists of 100 eligible couples and 50 in each rural and urban area.

vi. Criteria for selection of sample :

I ) INCLUSION CRITERIA :

1. Eligible couples those who are from the selected rural and urban area.

2. Eligible couple with age group between 18 – 45 years.

II) EXCLUSION CRITERIA :

1. Eligible couples those who are not available during data collection.

2. Eligible couples in the field of health care professionals.

vii. Sampling technique :

Non random sampling procedure of convenient sampling technique is used to select the
samples.

viii. Tool for data collection :

Tool consist of two sections such as;

Section A :

Includes selected demographic variables of rural and urban Eligible couples.

Section B :

Includes structured questionnaire consist of questions to assess knowledge on female

foeticide among rural and urban eligible couples.

ix. Methods of data collection :

Structured questionnaire will be used for collecting data regarding female foeticide
among rural and urban eligible couples.

x. Plan for data analysis :

The data collected on knowledge regarding female foeticide among rural and urban
eligible couples will be analyzed to assess the objectives through the following statistical
techniques.
1. Frequency and percentage analysis will be used to describe the rural and urban eligible
couples.

2. Mean, standard deviation and mean score percent will be used to assess the knowledge on
female foeticide among rural and urban eligible couples.

3. Unpaired 't' test will be carried out to compare the mean knowledge on female foeticide
among rural and urban eligible couples.

4. The Chi square test is used to determine the association between knowledge on female
foeticide and demographic variables on rural and urban eligible couples.

7.2 DOES THE STUDY REQUIRE ANY INTERVENTION TO BE CONDUCTED ON

PATIENTS OR OTHER HUMAN OR ANIMALS?

No, it is not an experimental study.

7.3 HAS ETHICAL CLEARANCE BEEN OBTAINED FROM INSTITUTIONS?

1. The ethical clearance has been obtained from research committee of CCON.

2. Written permission will be obtained from concerned authorities of selected areas.

3. Written permission will be obtained from the samples who are involved in the study
before collecting the data.

8. LIST OF REFERENCES:

1. Indu Grewal and J. Kishore. Female Foeticide In India. IHN 2004 May; 12-16.
2. Niharika Joshi and Ashu K. Bajwa. Existing Intergenerational Continuity and
Discontinuity in Knowledge of Rural Women towards Female Foeticide. Journal
Of Social Science 2012 Jan; 30(2): 161-164.

3. Zoya Zaida. Female Foeticide In India. Sikhspectrum 2006 May;24(5): 23-26.

4. www.orthodoxwiki.org.

5. Dr. M.S. Siddharam, Dr. G. M. Venhatesh and Dr. H. L. Thejaswini. Journal Of

Clinical And Diagnostic Research 2011 Nov;5(7): 1430-1433.

6. T. Snehalatha and Renu Shrma. Female Foeticide And Infenticide In India.

International Journal Of Criminal Justice Sciences 2006 Jan;1(1): 12-14.
7. D. Aishwarya and S. R. Archana. Awareness Of Rural And Urban Women About
Female Foeticide. Journal Of Indian Research 2010 May;10(2): 10-12.

8. Ashwini Bhalearao Gandhi, Ashok Kumar Shukla. Awareness of Female Foeticide.

Nursing Journal Of India 2005 May:55(3): 265-67.

9. S. Rashmi, S. mukherjee. Comparative study of selected parameters of gender

discrimination in rural versus urban population of ahmedabad, Gujarat. National
journal community medicine 2011;2(1): 121-123.

10. B. N. Vadera, U. K. Joshi, S. V. Unadakat and B. S. Yadav. Study on knowledge,

attitude and practices regarding gender preference and female feticide among
pregnant women. Indian journal of community medicine 2007;4(32): 300- 303.

11. Ghosh, Esther Anupama. Knowledge Regarding Female Foeticide. Indian Journal
Of Community Medicine 2003;8(30): 222-224.
12. George, Sabu M, Dahiya and Ranbir S. Female Foeticide in rural Haryana.
Economic and Political Weekly 1998 Aug;33(32): 2191-2198.

13. Gurusamy S. Status of girl child and female foeticide in Tamil Nadu. Journal Of
Indian Research 1999;48(139): 33-43.

14. Khanna and Anoop. Female infanticide in Rajasthan, history in practice. Journal of
Social Development (2003);3(1): 84-94.

15. Nilima v sonawane. Effectiveness of planned teaching programme on knowledge

and attitude regarding female foeticide among college students. The nursing
journal of india 2010 March;3(7): 34-35.

16. Anitha nath, Nandini Sharma and Gopal. Know;ledge and attitude of medical
students and interns with regards to female feticide. Indian journal of community
medicine 2009 april;34 (2): 164-165.

17. Praveen M. D. study on knowledge, attitude and practices regarding gender

preference and female feticide among pregnant women. The Nursing Journal Of India
2011 March;4(8): 23-25.
09. Signature of the candidate :

10. Remarks of the guide :

11. Name and designation of :

11.1. Guide :

11.2 Signature :

11.3 Co-guide :

11.4 Signature :

11.5 Head of the department :

11.6 Signature :

12.1 Remarks of the principal :

12.2 Signature :