Times of India

10 Aug 2011
By, Kounteya Sinha
New Delhi , India

The world’s largest sample survey has confirmed that sex–selection test is more common among India’s educated urban populace than their rural counterparts.

Union health ministry’s annual health survey 2010–11 —carried out in nine states with a sample size of 18.2 million—found that sex ratio at birth (SRB), under 0–4 years and in all ages in rural areas is better than in urban areas. SRB— number of female live births per 1,000 male—ranged between 764 (Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand) and 1,030 (Moradabad, UP).

In 44% of the 284 districts, there were under 900 women for every 1,000 men. Uttarakhand recorded the lowest female births and Chhattisgarh the highest. Four districts recorded SRB between 751 and 800, 29 between 801 and 850, 92 between 851 and 900, 41 between 951 and 1,000 and around six between 1,001 and 1,050.

“Across all nine states, SRB in rural areas was significantly higher than that of urban areas. In UP, rural SRB is 911 compared to 873 in urban UP,” said registrar general of India C Chandramouli. Union health secretary K Chandramouli said, “It’s a matter of grave concern that educated people in cities, who are better off, are opting for sex determination tests.

The survey confirms that... when it comes to sex determination, doctor and patient go hand–in–hand. He added, “Either the patient or doctor needs to feel they are doing wrong by looking for the unborn child’s sex. We will improve our awareness campaigns in urban areas to tell people that having a girl child is as good as having amale child.”

When it comes to sex ratio (0–4 years), it ranges between 787 (Morena, MP) and 1,076 (Kawardha, Chhattisgarh). Around 43% of the districts have child sex ratio (0–4 yrs) of less than 900. When it comes to sex ratio (all ages), it ranged from 818 (Morena, MP) to 1,220 (Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand). Around 21% of districts have over all sex ratio less than 900.

A recent study had warned that India will have 20% more men than women in the next two decades because of selective abortion and the preference for a male child in some states. In India, there are also marked regional differences in SRB.