What does Sex ratio mean?

Appeared in: MP CHO -2019 (Shift-1)

Explanation

The sex ratio is a crucial demographic indicator that reflects the gender balance within a population.
In the Indian context, it is consistently defined as the number of females for every 1,000 males.
According to the 2011 Census, India's sex ratio was 943 females per 1,000 males.
The National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21) reported an improvement, showing 1,020 females for every 1,000 males for the first time.

Option A: This option describes the total number of individuals in a sample population of 1,000. It does not represent a ratio comparing the number of males to females.
Option C: While this is a valid way to calculate a ratio between sexes, it is not the standard convention used in India. The Indian standard is females per 1,000 males.
Option D: This option specifically defines the 'Sex Ratio at Birth' (SRB), which is a different indicator that only considers live births.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Definition of Sex Ratio in Demography as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A low or declining sex ratio is a significant public health concern as it often indicates deep-rooted gender bias, prevalence of female foeticide, and neglect of the girl child.
Nurses and public health workers use sex ratio data for planning Maternal and Child Health (MCH) services and for monitoring the effectiveness of social programs aimed at protecting the girl child (e.g., Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao).
What if? If a district's Child Sex Ratio drops significantly between surveys, it signals an urgent need for public health intervention. This would trigger an investigation into illegal sex-selective practices, targeted awareness campaigns, and stricter enforcement of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of a standard demographic definition.
First, identify the key term in the question, which is 'Sex ratio'.
Recall the specific definition used in the context of Indian demography and public health.
Carefully evaluate each option. Note the subtle but important differences between them.
Differentiate the general 'sex ratio' from more specific but related terms like 'sex ratio at birth' or 'child sex ratio'.
Select the option that precisely matches the standard definition of the number of females per 1,000 males.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart C (pp 404-604 of 604) p. 177-179

E6 Comprehensive Textbook of Community Health Nursing for BSc Nursing Students Part 2 — Subpart B (pp 276-535 of 550) p. 7-9

E6 NursingResearch Sukhpal Kaur p. 525-527

Practise the full MP CHO -2019 (Shift-1)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.