Ideal Child Gender Preference in Men's Worldview and Their Knowledge of Related Maternal Mortality Indices in Ekiadolor, Southern Nigeria

Omokhoa A. Adeleye；Chukwunwendu A. Okonkwo

Gender preference ； grandmultiparity ； male involvement ； maternal mortality ； Nigeria ； son preference

Asian Journal of Medical Sciences

2卷3期（2010 / 06 / 25）

146 - 151

英文

The objective was to investigate men's gender preferences and the possible association with their knowledge of related maternal mortality indices. Using a cross-sectional design, a structured questionnaire was administered to 369 randomly selected males aged 18-75 years in Ekiadolor, Nigeria. A total of 176 (47.7%) respondents had gender preference, 135 (36.6%) preferring sons. Respondents who stated values ＞4 as the maximum safe parity per woman were 175(47.4%). Of these, 67.4% (118/175) had gender preference compared to 29.9% (58/194) who stated values ≦4 (logistic regression: p=0.000; OR=4.6, 95% CI=2.97-7.25). Respondents who were aware that pregnancy and delivery could put a woman's health at risk were 263 (71.3%). Of these, 58.6% (154/263) had no gender preference compared to 36.8% (39/106) of those who lacked this awareness. The association in this distribution was initially masked in a x^2-test but demonstrated in the binomial logistic regression analysis (p=0.002; OR=0.46, 95% CI=0.28-0.75). The variabilities in gender preference with respect to age, marital status and educational level were not statistically significant. This study is of priority public health importance because it broadens the opportunity to reduce maternal death by educating males on the dangers of grandmultiparity, which may be influenced while seeking to satisfy their gender preference. The traditional hierarchy should be engaged as cultural gatekeepers and potential change agents.