Predictors of request for antenatal sex determination among pregnant women in Osogbo, Nigeria

Prenatal ultrasonograpghy is a useful diagnostic tool in modern day obstetrics. However, its application in prenatal sex determination would continue to attract reactions and comments. The objective of the study was to identify factors associated with fetal sex determination during ultrasonography, A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among the pregnant women in SouthWestern Nigeria, to determine factors associated with willingness to know the sex of their unborn child using structured questionnaires. A total of 315 responses were obtained. Two hundred and nineteen (69.5%) respondents were interested in knowing the sex of their babies during ultrasonograghy. Younger mothers(= 29 years), primipara, those who had preference for a particular sex, those who planned to have more children based on desired sex, those who had problems detected in the index pregnancy and women who planned the index pregnancy were more willing to know the sex of their unborn child. Adjusting for other factors, pregnancies that were planned, determination to have more babies and house re-arrangement based on fetal sex of the index pregnancy were found to be significantly associated with desire to have prenatal sex determination. The study has demonstrated the factors that influence the request for prenatal sex determination among the pregnant women in Southwestern Nigeria and the effects of western influence.