Sex Ratio Imbalance and Deficit of Female Births in Ardabil Province, Iran

Background: Imbalanced sex ratio at birth (SRB) with excess male births is serious problem in the some parts of the world. This study was conducted to determine sex ratio imbalance and deficit of female births in Ardabil Province, Iran. Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, data related to the births in Ardabil province were extracted from an integrated health system from Mar ۲۰۱۷ to Feb ۲۰۲۴. All live births since the beginning of ۲۰۱۷ were include.  The sex ratio for each year was calculated by dividing the number of live male births to the number of live female births multiplied to ۱۰۰. The expected female birth was determined by dividing the number of live male births to ۱۰۵ multiplied to ۱۰۰. Deficit female was obtained from expected female birth minus female birth. The obtained data was compared with normal SRB using One- Sample T test by SPSS software ver. ۱۶. Results: Totally ۱۱۷۷۶۳ births was occurred in Ardabil province (۶۴۸۹۲ male and ۵۲۸۷۱ female) during ۲۰۱۷ to ۲۰۲۴. The expected female birth was obtained ۶۱۷۹۷. Therefore, the female birth was ۸۹۲۶ less than expected value. The average SRB for study period was ۱۲۲.۵ that significantly higher than the normal SRB (p<۰.۰۰۱). Conclusion: During the past ۷ years, about nine thousands deficit female birth than expected value was observed in Ardabil province. It can be intensify population reduction. Education for improve of public awareness about gender equity and legal restrictions on sex-selective procedures are suggested.

کلیدواژه ها:

Population Dynamics ، Sex Ratio Imbalance ، Female Deficit ، Fertility