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Background: Iran has witnessed a significant and rapid decline in fertility rates over the past few decades, a phenomenon referred to as the reproductive revolution. One crucial factor influencing fertility rates is the preference for a child’s gender, which can impact family size. This study aimed to determine the gender preference and desired family size among marriage candidates in Southern Iran in 2021.Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 744 marriage candidates from Jahrom County, Fars province, Iran, selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using a researcher-developed questionnaire. Experts confirmed the questionnaire’s face validity and its reliability was established with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.81.Results: Of the participants, 54.6% were women, 86.8% resided in urban areas, and 60.6% had a diploma or lower educational level. The mean age at first marriage was 26.86±8.22 years, and the mean desired number of children was 2.09±1.10. The preference for a boy as the first child was 24.6% among men and 22.9% among women, while the preference for a girl was 17.4% among men and 24.1% among women (P=0.084). Furthermore, 46.4% of men and 47.8% of women believed they would continue having children if they did not have a son (P=0.72). Factors such as gender, age, education, occupation, monthly income, and place of residence showed no association with the preference for a boy as the first child (P>0.05).Conclusion: On average, marriage candidates desired two children. There was a slight preference for boys. It is recommended that adolescents and young adults receive appropriate education about gender equality in schools and universities to mitigate gender bias and discrimination at the community level.

Background: This study challenges the prevalent belief that surgical roles demand masculine traits, potentially limiting women's suitability for such positions. Contrary to this stereotype, we explored the hypothesis that in sensitive surgical procedures, where communal traits are valued, women patients might favor women surgeons. Two experimental studies investigated women's preferences for a man versus a woman surgeon in a breast exam and breast surgery. Methods: In two studies we experimentally tested women's preferences for a man versus a woman surgeon for a breast exam (a noninvasive and non‐complicated procedure), and breast surgery (an invasive and more complicated procedure). Study 2 delved into factors influencing these preferences, including patients' age, stereotypical perceptions of women surgeons as communal/warm, past negative experiences with men and women doctors, and previous body‐related trauma. Results: Women consistently preferred a woman surgeon for both procedures and expressed increased willingness to wait for an appointment with a woman surgeon. However, this preference was less pronounced for surgery than for an exam. Study 2 identified the stereotypical perception of women surgeons as communal/warm as the strongest predictor for this preference, along with previous negative experiences with men doctors and age. Conclusions: While some gender bias persists, this study underscores a notable preference for women surgeons in intimate medical services like breast exams or surgery. This preference holds practical implications for healthcare providers encouraging women's preventive checkups and offers insights for women medical students making residency choices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The individual physical appearances of robots are considered significant, similar to the way that those of humans are. We investigated whether users prefer robots with male or female physical appearances for use in daily communication situations and whether egalitarian gender role attitudes are related to this preference. One thousand adult men and women aged 20–60 participated in the questionnaire survey. The results of our study showed that in most situations and for most subjects, "males" was not selected and "females" or "neither" was selected. Moreover, the number of respondents who chose "either" was higher than that who chose "female." Furthermore, we examined the relationship between gender and gender preference and confirmed that the effect of gender on the gender preference for a robot weakened when the human factor was eliminated. In addition, in some situations for android-type robots and in all situations for machine-type robots, equality orientation in gender role attitudes was shown to be higher for people who were not specific about their gender preferences. It is concluded that there is no need to introduce a robot that specifies its gender. Robots with a gender-neutral appearance might be more appropriate for applications requiring complex human–robot interaction and help avoid reproducing a gender bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is much research indicating the presence of a parental preference for a particular gender of children. The main objective of this paper is to test between the two main explanations for the existence of such preference, namely differences in the costs of raising sons and daughters versus the gender bias (corresponding to parental utility derived from a child’s gender or from characteristics exclusive to that gender). First, we use recent EU-SILC data from several Balkan and Scandinavian countries to confirm that the gender of the firstborn predicts the likelihood of a given family having three children or more—a common measure of parental gender preference. We confirm son preference in certain Balkan countries and daughter preference in Scandinavian countries. Both having a first child of the preferred gender and of the more costly gender can decrease the probability of having three or more children because parents may already be content or may lack sufficient resources, respectively. Next, we use information on household consumption to differentiate the two explanations. We argue that under the differential cost hypothesis, parents of children of the more costly gender should spend more on goods for children and less on household public goods as well as on parental personal consumption. In contrast, having children of the preferred gender should increase spending on household public goods since such families have higher marriage surplus and are more stable. Our evidence corroborates the cost difference explanation in countries exhibiting daughter preference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gender preference among women remains a significant phenomenon that reflects the imbalance in the sex ratio. Understanding the determinants of gender preference is crucial in addressing associated challenges and promoting gender equality. Objectives: To study the socio-demographic profile of post-natal women, gender preference among them and the factors affecting their preference. Methodology: A hospital-based Cross-Sectional Study was conducted in a tertiary hospital in Mangalore among 155 multiparous postnatal women. The data were collected using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire and was analysed using SPSS version 17.0. Results: Overall, 54.83 % of the study participants belonged to the age group of 18-27 years, 57.42% were unaware of any techniques for determining a person’s sex, and the most frequently mentioned method was ultrasound. The proportion of respondents with a preference for a male child was only 20.6%. The most common reason was the male gender carrying the family name. According to 73% of respondents, having two children is ideal for a family, while having an equal number of boys and girls was the most desired combination (60%). There is a significant preference (75%) for the second child to be male if the first child was female. Conclusion: It’s noteworthy that the preference for a male child was often tied to cultural and familial considerations, such as carrying on the family name. Interestingly, the study also highlights a prevalent preference for a second child to be male if the first child was female, signifying the persistence of gender-biased attitudes.

The link between population dynamics and climate-related severe events is complicated. Extreme weather events (EWEs), along with other factors such as socioeconomic and cultural factors, influence population dynamics, particularly changes in fertility, mortality, and migration. This study focuses solely on the fertility aspect of climate change and aims to investigate it in Bangladesh, which is extremely sensitive to climate change and EWEs such as floods, cyclones, and droughts. On a regular basis, the country is confronted with a number of EWEs. The current study examines how different types of extreme weather events affect vulnerable people’s decisions to have children or to prefer children of a certain gender. People who reside in a particular area may be more vulnerable to particular EWE types, which may result in different preferences for fertility and gender. This study employed individual-level data from three places (flood-prone, drought-prone, and cyclone-prone), each exposed to a distinct hazard, to address this issue, and collected pertinent information from 177 respondents in the susceptible areas using a survey questionnaire. The quantitative results show that the gender of the first child, the perceived risk of infant death due to EWE, the opinion on having more children to recover from the damage and losses caused by EWE, government and non-governmental organization (NGO) support during EWE, and the intended timing of child bearing (after or before EWE) are all significant factors influencing fertility preferences and gender preferences. The findings also indicate that the three regions under investigation have statistically distinct preferences for fertility and gender. There were larger differences between flood-prone areas and drought- and cyclone-prone areas. The complex issue of variations due to different EWEs requires more in-depth studies with larger samples and different methodological techniques.

Self-efficacy in tourist destination can influence the tourists’ level of satisfaction which may depend on how much the destination has fulfilled their needs. This research aims at investigating the relationship between gender preference and self-efficacy in tourist destination in Karo regency. Female tourists are usually significantly different, in which male’s self-efficacy tend to be higher than female’s. This research used a qualitative and quantitative method to obtain the varieties of perception, such as accessibility, comfort, confidence, and safety. The result reveals self-efficacy isindeed different for local male and female visitors; however, the male and female tourists from abroad do not indicate significant difference. The level of self-efficacy (LSE) for females is not always lower than males and, even, the activities cannot limit the LSE for males and females. The tourists’ activities in the masculine category proved that the females’ SE is higher than males. However, the males’ SE proved to be higher than females are only found among local people; however, the tourists’s SE between males and females look the same. In the development of tourism which is based on the tourists’ SE, preference of gender does not need to be considered; however, if it is done on the basis locals’ SE, then the preference of gender is really needed.

A preference for sons and a sex selection against females are widespread in vast regions of the world, including a great number of Asian and East European countries. However, while a robust son bias has been widely studied in several countries of these regions, much less attention has been given to other regions, such as Latin America. The aim of this paper is to compare gender preferences in twelve selected countries of Southeast Asia and Latin America at the beginning of the twenty-first century by calculating to what extent parents adapt their fertility behaviors to ensure the birth of a preferred sex. Using census data from Integrated Public Use Microdata Series-International (IPUMS-I), derived mostly from the 2010 round, we compute parity progression ratios with the Kaplan–Meier estimator and estimate Cox regressions to include control variables. The results focus on the probability of having a third child and show that a mixed composition of children (one boy and one girl) is the most widespread preference, except in Vietnam, where a heavy son preference can still be observed. The least preferred outcome varies between regions and countries, but it is most often two daughters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In India, the preference for a son is strong. Due to many reasons in various communities, the strong desire for a son and discrimination against a female child are causing the non-preference of female children, resulting in a skewed sex ratio in India. The main objective of the study was to assess the perception of urban slum married women in the reproductive age group about reasons and solutions to overcome gender preference. Materials and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study on 1230 married women of urban slums of age group 15–49 years was carried out in Katputli Nagar in Rajasthan state, India. Information regarding reasons and solutions to overcome gender preference was asked. A predesigned semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Results: Out of the 1230 study subjects, the majority reason for the male preference was “propagation of family name” (53.3%), followed by “family safety” (46.5%) and “funeral responsibility” (44.8%), “financial help in future” (39.2%) and “old age support” (40.2%). “Family name spoilage if remaining unmarried” and “female offspring will not stay with them after marriage” were the most preferred reasons for female non-preference (59.8% and 58.3%), respectively, and “dowry” in 56.4%. Strict implementation of anti-dowry law and better implementation of educational aids for girl child might be strong changes (69.83% and 69.18%, respectively), followed by “improvement in the security of females” (61.95%). Conclusion: Propagation of family names was an important reason for the preference for males. Strict implementation of anti-dowry law and better implementation of educational aid for female children might be strong changes that could remove gender discrimination in society.

Artificial intelligence is one of the main topics characterizing the 21st century. The quick development of these new intelligent systems brings challenges into the daily life of consumers and companies. Even though artificial intelligence contributes to an increased quality of life, by simplifying the life of its users and the processes of companies, in the same time it can affect the cognitive abilities of humans. By taking over different tasks and having access to information, the AI will influence human decision-making and the human will be somehow dependent on the actions and decisions of the AI. In this paper we focus on the impact of the social appreciation on the consumers' perception regarding anthropomorphic AI. We have investigated the extent to which anthropomorphic AI devices impact human capabilities and the social appreciation of owning an AI. The results show that AI with human-like physical appearance are perceived with higher anthropomorphic characteristics, but the physical appearance of the AI does not affect the social appreciation and the human capabilities of the owner. The average values of the items, measuring the direct perception show that consumers rather believe that AI does not affect their human abilities and owning a robot is not strongly influenced by the social reference group. This result has to be further investigated in a third person perspective and in a different social context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-efficacy in tourist destination can influence the tourists’ level of satisfaction which may depend on how much the destination has fulfilled their needs. This research aims at investigating the relationship between gender preference and self-efficacy in tourist destination in Karo regency. Female tourists are usually significantly different, in which male’s self-efficacy tend to be higher than female’s. This research used a qualitative and quantitative method to obtain the varieties of perception, such as accessibility, comfort, confidence, and safety. The result reveals self-efficacy is indeed different for local male and female visitors; however, the male and female tourists from abroad do not indicate significant difference. The level of self-efficacy (LSE) for females is not always lower than males and, even, the activities cannot limit the LSE for males and females. The tourists’ activities in the masculine category proved that the females’ SE is hi gher than males. However, the males’ SE proved to be higher than females are only found among local people; however, the tourists’s SE between males and females look the same. In the development of tourism which is based on the tourists’ SE, preference of gender does not need to be considered; however, if it is done on the basis locals’ SE, then the preference of gender is really needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crowdfunding has created new opportunities for poor microentrepreneurs. One crucial question is the impact that the purpose of a loan—either business investment or basic necessities—may have on the success of a campaign. Investigating a prosocial crowdfunding platform, we find that loans taken out to meet basic needs are funded faster than business-related loans, especially for small amounts, which can be explained by the prosocial motivation of microlenders. Moreover, female microborrowers are funded faster than men, especially for basic needs loans. Our results therefore suggest an ethical blind spot, since prosocially motivated crowdlenders may unintentionally end up producing adverse effects, replicating gender role by supporting women to a lesser extent when they apply for business loans. This finding expands prosocial motivational theory in ethical finance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Law makers on the legislative houses in Nigeria are elected by a party members and the electorate. The members of legislative chambers are constituted through competitive periodic elections to represent different interests recognised by the electorate. Interest desiring representation has included gender, environment, economic, religion, political party, ethnic, and many more. While there are diverse interests requiring representation, the issue of gender representation forms the basic interest of the study. The reason is due to the observed predominance of males over females in gender representation in elective governmental positions while the constitution allows for equal opportunity in democracy. The study appraised the role of political parties in gender representation on the Nigerian legislative chambers and gender preference by the electorate for political parties' performance in legislative elections was analysed. The study adopted a qualitative research design in which data were sourced from secondary sources. The study revealed that political parties do not have any reservation for gender in the presentation of candidates for election. The study noted that that the choice of voter is beyond gender. The study concludes that gender issues in elections may be one of the many factors influencing voter's decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & aim: A number of studies have addressed the positive effects of parental gender preferences for children on fertility in Iran. However, new demographic situations have left two questions unanswered: whether parents demonstrate gender preferences for children in a modern low-fertility society and if so whether such a preference is a strong predictor of the probability of having another child. Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted on 450 married men and women residing in Tehran, Iran in 2014. The Data collection tool included a self-structured questionnaire entailing a demographic information form, fertility intention, and gender preference-related data. The data were analyzed in SPSS Software (version 24) using cross tabulation estimation and logistic regression. Results: 22.2% of men and 17.11% of women were reported to be in favor of having daughter, while 12.9% of men and 14% of women preferred son. Moreover, gender preference was found to have no significant effect on fertility intention. However, the women with same-sex children were 3.17 times more likely to desire another child, compared to those who have different sex composition (OR=3.178, P value= 0.000). Furthermore, the men in the age groups of ≤30 and 31-40 desired to have another child, compared to older men. Conclusion: While a preference for son is rooted in Iranian culture, a new gender preference is emerging with a strong tendency toward having a girl. However, gender preference was not a driving force in the continuation of fertility in the context of low fertility of Tehran.

Abstract This paper examines the intra-gender nutrition outcome both with and without the presence of household level shock using Living Standards Measurement Study-Integrated Survey (LSMS) panel data in Ethiopia. We used a mixed-effect estimation strategy to analyze how parents’ gender preference affects resource allocation between boys and girls, and nutrition outcomes. We used a gender dummy and found that child gender dummy interaction with household level shock index variables does not have a significant effect on child nutrition. The results indicate that nutrition equality could be due to (1) the girls’ biological bodily development that causes differences in trouble tolerance such that the girls’ nutrition remains the same as that of boys and (2) the boys’ physical exercises which cause weight loss such that it brings their nutrition down making it equal to that of the girls’. The results suggest the need for energy food supplementation for boys and a need for equal care for both girls and boys.

Background: It is a matter of grave concern that a girl child continues to be insecure and vulnerable in the state of Punjab. To ingrain gender equality in social system, it is very important to make community an important stakeholder to deal with the situation. This study focuses on the awareness and perceptions of anganwadi workers regarding girl child discrimination and female feticide. Materials and Methods: A total of 2206 anganwadi workers between the age group of 20–70 years of different blocks of Ludhiana district, Punjab, were enrolled. They had come for Anganwadi Worker (AWW) Training Workshop, organized at Urban Health Centre, Ludhiana, Punjab. Data were analyzed in terms of proportions. Results: Study subjects showed high level of awareness about female feticide (98.8%). A majority of the subjects (93.3%) agreed to the fact that practice of discrimination is being followed between boys and girls. They were also of the opinion that this practice is harmful and it should be stopped (98.9%). Various contributing factors enumerated by them included sons are intelligent, carry on family lineage, and they take care of their parents in old age. Regarding perception of anganwadi workers for curbing this social evil, 70.7% of subjects were of the view that by giving equal opportunities, equal status to girls, and empowering girls, this practice can be stopped, while 42.4% of the subjects were of the view that increasing awareness among the rural women, parents, and family is the solution to stop this practice. Conclusion: The anganwadi workers had optimum level of awareness about female feticide and almost all of them strongly felt that this harmful practice should be stopped altogether.

Background: To assess the pattern and extent of male and female gender preference and its associated factors among currently married women of reproductive age group in Puducherry, coastal south India. Methods: This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 2016 to 2017 among 2228 currently married women residing in selected rural and urban areas of Puducherry, India. Details of pattern and associated factors of gender preference were assessed based on National Family Health Survey questionnaire. Sociodemographic and personal factors were collected by structured proforma. Log binomial regression analysis was done to find the factors associated with gender preference. Results: About 1979 women participated. Preference for male and female child was 27.9% and 22.5% respectively. Others had equal (46.1%) or no preference (3.5%) on gender. Majority of them preferred two children (1528, 77.2%) and among them, 59.2% (904) preferred one boy and one girl. Those who preferred one child, male child preference (51.8%) is more than female child preference (20.1%). Number of living children (1,2, ≥3), preferred children (1,3) and those from urban areas had more male preference; age group (35 to 39 years), number of living children (1,2, ≥3), preferred children (3,4,5) and those from urban areas had significantly more female preference compared to their counterparts in the adjusted analysis. Conclusions: Overall, preference of male child was higher than female child. Those who preferred one child, margin is wider with male preference more than female preference. This group requires special support and follow up health care services like counselling to equalize the preference.

Introduction: Female sterilisation accounts for 36% of the population using various methods of contraception in India. Laparoscopic tubal ligation is a commonly used method for female sterilisation. Acceptance of sterilisation is influenced by sociodemographic factors. Better appreciation of socio-demographic factors influences the acceptance rate of laparoscopic tubal ligation and therefore it is important to be assessed. Aim: To assess the socio-demographic factors among the acceptor of laparoscopic tubal ligation. Materials and Methods: It was a retrospective study from 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018, carried out at Silchar Medical College, Silchar, Assam. The socio-demographic data of woman undergone laparoscopic tubal ligation during one year period was collected. The women included in the study were Post Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Post-MTP) ligation, interval ligation and post-partum ligation. Women undergoing tubectomy during caesarean section were excluded from the study. Data were presented as percentage and proportion and subsequently, analysis was done. Results: The mean age of the woman was 29.76±4.19. The number of woman with parity three was highest (45.45%). The interval from last childbirth to laparoscopic tubal ligation was more than 3 years in 34.55% women. Majority (70%) of the women had post-MTP ligation. Conclusion: There is long interval from last childbirth to tubal ligation. This gap must be filled up so that couples adopt permanent method of contraception at the earliest occasion after completion of family. Most of the woman had undergone medical termination of pregnancy at the time of sterilisation. Family welfare programme must be strengthened to prevent these unwanted pregnancies and its consequences.

Introduction: This study presents research-based evidence to examine the patterns and determinants associated with gender preference in Iran from demographic and socio-cultural perspectives. The importance of such studies lies in the fact that despite substantial progress in contemporary societies leading to a more important social revolution so-called ‘revolution in gender roles’, gender preference still exists in human societies. In his book titled A General Theory of Gender Stratification, Blumberg (1984) has simply and clearly documented this issue: 'remember the Golden Rule: He who has the gold makes the rules'. In fact, the large body of literature reviewed in this article also indicates that gender preference has substantially persisted as a social problem throughout human societies. Materials & Methods This analysis is based on a survey conducted in rural and urban areas of Ahvaz, Babolsar, Bojnord, Esfarayen, Gonbad Kavos, Khoramabad, Mahmoudabad, and Hamadan. The survey includes 3667 males and females aged 15 years old and over. The research data has been collected using questionnaire. Then, SPSS has been employed in order to analyze the research data. The key dependent variable of the present analysis is gender preference, which has been defined and classified in four categories: 'son preference', 'daughter preference', 'no preference, neither for son nor for daughter', 'preference for equal number of sons and daughters'. Further, this analysis includes three main groups of dependent variables: First, basic variables such as age, sex, place of residence, education. Second, variables related to gender attitudes measured by attitudes towards women's employment and male-bread-winner model. Third, demographic variables such as the number of children, gender composition of children, and the ideal number of children. Discussion of Results & Conclusion Generally speaking, the results of this study illustrate that only one-third of the respondents reject gender preference, whereas the remaining majority hold positive attitudes toward gender preference. However, these general patterns are significantly associated with three major categories of determinants. The first category refers to basic variables such as age, sex and education: 'son preference' is stronger among men than women as it is stronger among people living in rural areas than those living in urban areas. Moreover, education level has significant effect on gender preference: the lower the education level, the stronger the tendency towards gender preference. More specifically, among illiterates, the tendency towards 'son preference' is three times greater than that towards 'daughter preference'. However, gender preference becomes increasingly weaker as level of education goes up so that highly-educated people hold the lowest level of gender preference. The second category refers to variables related to gender roles attitudes. According to the results of this analysis, the pattern of 'son preference' is significantly affected by traditional and conservative attitudes towards gender roles: the stronger the latter, the more visible the former. Controversy, those holding modern and liberal attitudes towards gender roles are substantially less in favour of gender preference. The third category refers to demographic determinants. For instance, gender preference particularly 'son preference' tends to be more common among people with a larger number of children. Furthermore, the gender composition of the existing children has a significant impact on gender preference, suggesting that the pattern of son preference becomes significantly weaker among people who already have an equal number of male and female children. In sum, the underlying conclusion of this analysis refers to the fact that the patterns of gender preference are substantially associated with modernism so that gender preference in general and son preference specifically tend to be significantly less evident among people with more liberal and modern attitudes. In contrary, those holding stronger traditional attitudes are more likely to have gender preference particularly son preference. This underlying conclusion can be observed and explained through such basic determinants as age or education, and more visibly through attitudes towards gender roles measured by women's employment and male-bread-winner model: those with more liberal and modern attitudes towards gender roles hold a weaker tendency towards gender preference, whereas such a tendency is significantly stronger amongst those with more traditional and conservative attitudes towards gender roles.

Background: Decision-making around pregnancy is challenging for women with severe mental illness (SMI), and several clinical and socio-cultural factors might influence this process. Aim: The main objective of this study was to determine factors that influence decision-making regarding pregnancy for women with SMI. Methods: Using a qualitative design, 42 women with SMI who were pregnant or planning pregnancy were assessed using a semi-structured interview by an independent researcher not involved in their clinical care. Areas of inquiry included knowledge about their illness, treatment; family and societal beliefs on mental illness and motherhood; illness management; and attitude towards medical advice. Results: Among the 42 women, majority of the women (88%) reported reduced autonomy in decision-making related to pregnancy. Stigma was one of the major contributory factors in decision-making. Over 80% reported not using contraception despite medical advice due to lack of control over the decisions related to the use of contraception. Over 50% of the women in the study believed that taking psychotropic medications during pregnancy would definitely harm the baby. A similar number believed that their illness would not recur if medications were to be stopped during pregnancy. Conclusion: Women with SMI who plan to become pregnant, especially from low-income settings in India, are disadvantaged by stigma and societal expectations, affecting their ability to make optimum decisions during this crucial period. Decision-making around pregnancy in women with SMI is complex and appears to be influenced by several socio-cultural factors and needs to be dealt with sensitively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Implicit bias is as prevalent among health care professionals as among the wider population and is significantly associated with lower health care quality., Objective: The study goal was to develop and evaluate the preliminary efficacy of an innovative mobile app, VARIAT (Virtual and Augmented Reality Implicit Association Training), to reduce implicit biases among Medicaid providers., Methods: An interdisciplinary team developed 2 interactive case-based training modules for Medicaid providers focused on implicit bias related to race and socioeconomic status (SES) and sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI), respectively. The simulations combine experiential learning, facilitated debriefing, and game-based educational strategies. Medicaid providers (n=18) participated in this pilot study. Outcomes were measured on 3 domains: training reactions, affective knowledge, and skill-based knowledge related to implicit biases in race/SES or SOGI., Results: Participants reported high relevance of training to their job for both the race/SES module (mean score 4.75, SD 0.45) and SOGI module (mean score 4.67, SD 0.50). Significant improvement in skill-based knowledge for minimizing health disparities for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer patients was found after training (Cohen d=0.72; 95% CI -1.38 to -0.04)., Conclusions: This study developed an innovative smartphone-based implicit bias training program for Medicaid providers and conducted a pilot evaluation on the user experience and preliminary efficacy. Preliminary evidence showed positive satisfaction and preliminary efficacy of the intervention., (© Jiabin Shen, Alex J Clinton, Jeffrey Penka, Megan E Gregory, Lindsey Sova, Sheryl Pfeil, Jeremy Patterson, Tensing Maa. Originally published in JMIR Serious Games (https://games.jmir.org).)

• Little is known on what older citizens consider appropriate Long Term Care (LTC). • Surveying older populations on preferences for LTC with vignettes is feasible. • Men more than women favor LTC at home provided by the spouse. • Women more than men favor professional support to the spouse or LTC in institution. • Most men and women favor LTC in institution in case of severe cognitive impairment. Numerous studies have attempted to identify predictors of institutionalization in the general population. Gender studies have led to inconsistent results. Some authors argued that older women were more likely than older men to use long-term care services, while others failed to highlight a specific gender effect on the use of long-term care services. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of gender on the preferences of older citizens for long-term care using a panel of disability situations. We used a set of ten vignettes displaying disability situations with or without an able-bodied spouse present and used a population-based survey to inquire about appropriate long-term care. Participants were 3102 community-dwelling persons aged 68–83 years included in the representative Lausanne cohort 65+ study in January 2017. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to explore the effect of gender on long-term care choices by older men and women, controlling for the respondent's age and living arrangement. The respondents' choices shifted toward institutionalization when the disorder severity increased in vignettes and when there was no spouse able to help. Men were more likely to choose a home setting with caregiving only by spouse even when the level of disability increased. Women chose help from professionals, sheltered homes, or institutionalization more quickly than men. Exploring gender preferences for long-term care arrangements is critical for improving and planning long-term care services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is a matter of grave concern that a girl child continues to be insecure and vulnerable in the state of Punjab. To ingrain gender equality in social system, it is very important to make community an important stakeholder to deal with the situation. This study focuses on the awareness and perceptions of anganwadi workers regarding girl child discrimination and female feticide. Materials and Methods: A total of 2206 anganwadi workers between the age group of 20–70 years of different blocks of Ludhiana district, Punjab, were enrolled. They had come for Anganwadi Worker (AWW) Training Workshop, organized at Urban Health Centre, Ludhiana, Punjab. Data were analyzed in terms of proportions. Results: Study subjects showed high level of awareness about female feticide (98.8%). A majority of the subjects (93.3%) agreed to the fact that practice of discrimination is being followed between boys and girls. They were also of the opinion that this practice is harmful and it should be stopped (98.9%). Various contributing factors enumerated by them included sons are intelligent, carry on family lineage, and they take care of their parents in old age. Regarding perception of anganwadi workers for curbing this social evil, 70.7% of subjects were of the view that by giving equal opportunities, equal status to girls, and empowering girls, this practice can be stopped, while 42.4% of the subjects were of the view that increasing awareness among the rural women, parents, and family is the solution to stop this practice. Conclusion: The anganwadi workers had optimum level of awareness about female feticide and almost all of them strongly felt that this harmful practice should be stopped altogether. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A reflection on the census 2011 data tells us that gender preference has only been on the rise these past years. Objective: To assess perception regarding gender preference among mothers in Dakshina Kannada district. Materials & Methods: 2 tertiary care centres attached with medical college were selected in Dakshina Kannada district. Quantitative variables were collected using a questionnaire and qualitative component was done through focused group discussion. Results: Child preference was seen among 32.2% of the subjects. Preference for Male child if the first child was a girl was significantly associated with lower education and low income (p<0.05). Conclusion: Son preference is still existent in the society but not universally. It is more so when the first born is a female child. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Patient preferences regarding the gender of their physicians is a highly sensitive issue, which can be particularly salient in intimate medical situations. Previously published studies found that women tend to prefer female physicians, especially in the case of obstetricians and gynecologists. Data regarding other intimate specialties, such as breast surgery, are scarce. The present study was undertaken to assess gender preferences of women regarding their choice of a breast surgeon. Methods Five hundred and fifteen consecutive women who attended breast clinics in two university-affiliated tertiary hospitals were prospectively enrolled. A 25-item anonymous questionnaire was completed by women independently and used to assess their preferences in selecting their breast surgeon. Of the 515 women, 500 (97 % response rate; mean age 50.6 ± 15.4 years) completed the anonymous questionnaire. Results Overall, 160 (32 %) women preferred to undergo breast examination by a female breast surgeon, 296 (59 %) had no preference, and only 44 (9 %) preferred a male surgeon. A same-gender preference was significantly and independently associated with younger age of the patients (Odds Ratio = 0.978, 95 % Confidence Interval 0.962–0.994, P = 0.007) and being married (Odds Ratio = 0.563, 95 % Confidence Interval 0.347–0.916, P = 0.021). However, only small and equal numbers of patients preferred to undergo breast surgery by a female (14 %) or a male (13 %) surgeon, and most patients (73 %) had no gender preferences. Furthermore, the three most important factors, which affected in general the actual selection, were surgical ability (93 %), experience (91.2 %) and knowledge (78.6 %), rather than physician gender per se. Conclusions Overall, about a third of women prefer a female breast surgeon for their breast examination. Embarrassment during the examination was the major reason for same-gender preference. In contrast, when it comes to breast operations, preference for a female surgeon is less pronounced, with the professional skills of the surgeons becoming the predominant consideration. The fact that almost a third of the potential patients prefer female surgeons with regard to their breast examinations emphasizes the need to increase the number of female surgeons. Such an increase can be achieved through academic and economic changes that will enable more women to specialize in general surgery. Trial registration Trial registration is not required for this type of research.

Introduction: Female sterilisation accounts for 36% of the population using various methods of contraception in India. Laparoscopic tubal ligation is a commonly used method for female sterilisation. Acceptance of sterilisation is influenced by sociodemographic factors. Better appreciation of socio-demographic factors influences the acceptance rate of laparoscopic tubal ligation and therefore it is important to be assessed. Aim: To assess the socio-demographic factors among the acceptor of laparoscopic tubal ligation. Materials and Methods: It was a retrospective study from 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018, carried out at Silchar Medical College, Silchar, Assam. The socio-demographic data of woman undergone laparoscopic tubal ligation during one year period was collected. The women included in the study were Post Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Post-MTP) ligation, interval ligation and post-partum ligation. Women undergoing tubectomy during caesarean section were excluded from the study. Data were presented as percentage and proportion and subsequently, analysis was done. Results: The mean age of the woman was 29.76±4.19. The number of woman with parity three was highest (45.45%). The interval from last childbirth to laparoscopic tubal ligation was more than 3 years in 34.55% women. Majority (70%) of the women had post-MTP ligation. Conclusion: There is long interval from last childbirth to tubal ligation. This gap must be filled up so that couples adopt permanent method of contraception at the earliest occasion after completion of family. Most of the woman had undergone medical termination of pregnancy at the time of sterilisation. Family welfare programme must be strengthened to prevent these unwanted pregnancies and its consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been argued that preferences for the sex of children would be small or non‐existing in relatively gender equal societies. However, previous studies have suggested that a stronger preference for having daughter exists in Scandinavian countries, which are frequently noted for being among the most gender equal societies in the world. Combining new register data on birth rates by sex of the previous children and recent survey data on couples’ stated preferences for the sex of children, we show that the preference for daughters has increased in Sweden over the last decade. In addition to the stronger preference for having daughters among two‐child mothers documented in previous research, our findings show that during the previous decade this preference was noticeable also among one‐child parents. Despite Swedish society being known for holding gender equal social norms, interviewed parents openly expressed some degree of preference for having daughters over sons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With high rates of infant mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, investments in infant health are subject to tough prioritizations within the household, in which maternal preferences may play a part. How these preferences will affect infant mortality as African women have ever-lower fertility is still uncertain, as increased female empowerment and increased difficulty in achieving a desired gender composition within a smaller family pull in potentially different directions. I study how being born at a parity or of a gender undesired by the mother relates to infant mortality in sub-Saharan Africa and how such differential mortality varies between women at different stages of the demographic transition. Using data from 79 Demographic and Health Surveys, I find that a child being undesired according to the mother is associated with a differential mortality that is not due to constant maternal factors, family composition, or factors that are correlated with maternal preferences and vary continuously across siblings. As a share of overall infant mortality, the excess mortality of undesired children amounts to 3.3 % of male and 4 % of female infant mortality. Undesiredness can explain a larger share of infant mortality among mothers with lower fertility desires and a larger share of female than male infant mortality for children of women who desire 1-3 children. Undesired gender composition is more important for infant mortality than undesired childbearing and may also lead couples to increase family size beyond the maternal desire, in which case infants of the surplus gender are particularly vulnerable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Son preference in India is widespread and deep rooted. Parents’ expectations of benefits and costs are biased in favour of sons. This therefore acts as the key motivation for the preference of male offspring. Women might continue to bear children until the desired number of sons is reached. Methodology: A community based, cross-sectional study was carried out among 718 married women of reproductive age group selected by systematic random sampling. Results: The present study revealed that 63.1% women were of the opinion that it was necessary to have a male child. Women were more likely to be acceptors of contraception even if they had one son (38.8%) as compared to women having no sons (17.9%) and the relationship was found to be significantly associated. Women who accepted terminal method of contraception over spacing method was significantly higher among women having male offspring. Conclusions: The findings demonstrate that in settings like Uttar Pradesh, focusing solely on family-size limitation may not be an effective strategy to promote family planning because it is women’s preference for sons – and not just family size – that plays a key role in determining if, when and how a woman regulates her fertility.

Background: Literatures reported gender preference among women in different parts of India. The study was conducted to know the opinion of mothers on different areas of gender inequalities, presence of gender preference and the associated factors. Methodology: The present cross sectional, descriptive study was done among mothers residing in a sub urban community of Nadia district. Data was collected by direct interview. Results: Among the ninety nine (99) participating mothers, most were Hindu (96), homemaker (91), lived in nuclear family (76) with mean age of 30.89 years. One out of every five mother was illiterate. 23.2% mothers had abortion and 63.6% practiced contraception. Eighty six mothers opined that a couple should have one or two children. Difference in opinion favouring male child was noted. There was no difference in seeking health care, providing more education, sharing of food for either sex. Preference for boy child was similar as girl child (31.3% vs. 26.3%). Conclusions: In spite of presence of inequalities in opinion, there was no significant gender preference present for either sex. Acculturation and improved female literacy could make the scenario more glorified.

Purpose: Maternal depression is a major public health problem in low- and middle-income countries including India. Very few studies have assessed association of various risk factors with antenatal depression in rural Indian women, especially the effect of marital conflict, gender disadvantage and gender preference on antenatal depression. This paper describes the prevalence of probable antenatal depression in rural Maharashtra, a state in the western part of India and specifically assesses the association of marital and gender disadvantage factors and gender preference for a male child with antenatal depression.Methods: Primary Health Centre-based cross-sectional survey of antenatal women in rural Maharashtra was carried out. The outcome of interest was a probable diagnosis of depression in antenatal women which was measured using the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS). Data were analyzed using simple and multiple logistic regression.Results: 302 women in their antenatal period were included in this study. The outcome of antenatal depression (EPDS > 12) was found in 51 women (16.9%, 95% CI 12.6-21.1%). Feeling pressurized to deliver a male child was strongly associated with the outcome of antenatal depression (adjusted odds ratio (OR): 3.0; 95% CI 1.4-6.5). Unsatisfactory reaction of in-laws to dowry (adjusted OR 11.2; 95% CI 2.4-52.9) and difficult relationship with in-laws (adjusted OR 5.3; 95% CI 2.4-11.6) were also significantly associated with antenatal depression.Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that antenatal depression in rural women of Western Maharashtra is associated with gender disadvantage factors, especially related to preference for a male child. The agenda to improve maternal mental health should be ultimately linked to address the broader social development goals and gender empowerment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Narrowing and eliminating enrolment gaps between male and female children has become a policy issue of governments in developing countries especially with the introduction of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The benefits of equal enrolment and retention in primary schools cannot be underestimated for developing countries in particular. This underscores the need for studies that shed light on enrolment inequalities. Applying binary probit model to cross-sectional data from 384 respondents randomly drawn from rural and urban communities in the West Mamprusi District of the Northern Region of Ghana, it is revealed that income level of the household head, number of male and female children of school-age, primary school enrolment decision-maker and number of female children already enrolled are significant determinants of female enrolment. Male children are also found to be the most preferred gender for primary school enrolment. Governments should therefore consider improving income levels of households, as well as sustaining sensitization and awareness creation through the Gender Ministry and/or National Commission for Civic Education on the importance of female education in addressing enrolment inequalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]