| Popis: |
Introduction: son preference has been exhibited by couples within Nigerian ethnic groups. This preference may affect the sex-ratio at birth and increase discriminatory practices against girls/women. However, the influence of the spouses has not been explored in our context. The aim of this study is to generate reliable data for evidence-based interventions to eliminate son preference. Methods: a cross-sectional survey was conducted in the antenatal clinics of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria, using the Son Preference Index (SPI). Results: the overall son preference index was 1.2. Mothers with a high son preference index were significantly younger, nulliparous, had husbands with only a primary education, and who had greater preference for a male child. Also, SPI was higher among women who had problems with their husbands because they had failed to “produce” a son. Respondents who had high SPI were willing to have fewer babies, provided they had a son. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that having a husband who preferred a son (AOR: 0.423; 95% C. I. 0.300-0.595, p less than 0.001), had only a primary education (AOR: 0.458; 95% C. I. 0.239-0.876, p = 0.018), and had problems with the woman for failing to have a son (AOR: 2.741; 95% C. I. 1.531- 4.910, p = 0.001) were independent predictors of son preference.Conclusion: son preference is influenced by spousal characteristics in south-west Nigeria. If it remains unchanged, with declining fertility rate and widespread availability of sex-determination procedures, female-directed gender-based discrimination may worsen. |
