title: India's Distorted Sex Ratio: Dire Consequences for Girls.
abstract: Female gender discrimination related to cultural preference for males is a common global problem, especially in Asian countries. Numerous laws intended to prevent discrimination on the basis of gender have been passed in India, yet the distorted female-to-male sex ratio seems to show worsening tendencies. Using detailed, two-year longitudinal chart abstraction data about delivery records of a private mission hospital in rural India, we explored if hospital birth ratio data differed in comparison to regional data, and what demographic and contextual variables may have influenced these outcomes. Using quantitative chart abstraction and qualitative contextual data, study results showed the female-to-male ratio was lower than the reported state ratio at birth. In the context of India's patriarchal structure, with its strong son preference, women are under tremendous pressure or coerced to access community-based, sex-selective identification and female fetus abortion. Nurses may be key to turning the tide.
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor of Nursing at Loma Linda University. She conducts interventional research, utilizing nurses to bring much needed public health programs to vulnerable populations.
authors.forename: Lisa R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.affiliation: Associate Dean of Research, School of Behavioral Health, Loma Linda University and Director of Research at the Behavioral Health Institute. She conducts and mentors in interventional and health disparities research.
authors.forename: Susanne B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Montgomery
mesh_terms: D001208:Asia; D002835:Christianity; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D012424:Rural Population; D012743:Sex Preselection; D012744:Sex Ratio
keywords: India; feticide; gender discrimination; nursing; prenatal sex identification; selective abortion; sex ratio