Pregnant Nigerian woman's view of her prenatal sex determination

Abstract

A questionnaire survey was conducted among 1000 pregnant Nigerian women to identify their knowledge and perception of prenatal sex determination using ultrasonography. Eighty-one per cent of the respondents were aware of the technology. Knowledge of it was associated with high parity and education. However, only 64% of respondents desired to know the sex of their fetus. Younger age, low parity and less number of existing male children influenced this desire. There was no indication of considering possible abortion of the fetus if the identified sex was not the desired one. It is suggested that as there seem no grave sequelae of revealing the sex of the fetus, sonologists should not withhold this information from mothers if they so desire.