Exploring Knowledge and Attitudes toward Surrogacy among Infertile Couples: Insights from Punjab, India | Chapter 9 | Medical Science: Updates and Prospects Vol. 3

 

Introduction: Surrogacy is a reproductive method in which a woman carries and delivers a baby on behalf of another couple. It may involve transferring a fertilised egg from the intended parents into the surrogate’s uterus, or in some cases, the surrogate may use her own egg and the sperm of another man to conceive. After childbirth, the surrogate mother hands over the baby to the intended or infertile couple. Although surrogacy has become a significant option for managing infertility, many couples still have limited knowledge and uncertain attitudes toward this practice.

 

Aim: The present study was carried out to assess the level of knowledge and attitude regarding surrogacy among infertile couples attending selected infertility clinics in Amritsar, Punjab.

 

Methods: A descriptive non-experimental research design was adopted for this study. The sample consisted of 100 infertile couples selected through purposive sampling from Satjot Human Reproduction Centre, KD Hospital, and other infertility clinics in Amritsar. A structured questionnaire with 18 knowledge-related questions and an attitude scale with 16 statements was used to gather data. Statistical analysis was done using descriptive and inferential methods.

 

Results: The findings showed that most of the participants (87%) had an average level of knowledge, followed by 11% with good knowledge, and only 2% with poor knowledge about surrogacy. With respect to attitude, 62% of couples had a negative attitude, while 38% displayed a positive attitude. No significant relationship was found between knowledge and selected demographic variables such as age, religion, education, and family income. However, the type of family, duration of marriage, and number of infertility treatment attempts were found to have a statistically significant association at p < 0.05.

 

Conclusion: The study concluded that although the majority of infertile couples had moderate knowledge regarding surrogacy, their attitudes were mostly negative. This highlights the need for awareness and counselling programs to provide accurate information about medical, emotional, and legal aspects of surrogacy. Enhancing knowledge through education may help couples make more informed and positive decisions regarding this reproductive option.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Kamalpreet Kaur
Khalsa College of Nursing Amritsar, Punjab, India.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/msup/v3/6681

Punjab’s Fiscal Sustainability: A Two - Decade Analysis of Persistent Revenue Deficits (2004-2024) Chapter 7 | New Advances in Business, Management and Economics Vol. 11

 

This chapter examines Punjab’s revenue receipts, expenditure patterns, and revenue deficits from 2004 to 2024 to assess fiscal sustainability and policy effectiveness. A comprehensive analysis was undertaken by examining the components of both revenue receipts and revenue expenditure to identify the key components contributing to the revenue deficit. In addition to this, the percentage composition of components of Revenue receipts and expenditure was calculated to study the relative contribution. Thereafter, a descriptive and qualitative study of each component was undertaken through audit reports, government publications and research studies to enable a deep understanding of the underlying trends and drivers of Punjab’s revenue imbalance. Drawing on data from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), PRS Legislative Research, NITI Aayog, and state budget documents, the study highlights persistent structural fiscal imbalances driven by high committed expenditures on salaries, pensions, interest payments, and subsidies. Despite growth in total revenue receipts from ₹13,807 crore in 2004-05 to ₹98,852 crore in 2023-24, revenue expenditure has risen faster, widening the revenue deficit from ₹3,391 crore to ₹24,589 crore. The Dependence on central transfers has increased, while own-tax and non-tax revenues remain constrained by a narrow tax base and low PSU returns. The analysis identifies episodic revenue declines linked to non-tax revenue shortfalls and external shocks, and underscores the impact of high interest payments on development spending. Policy recommendations include subsidy rationalisation, structural revenue reforms, debt management strategies, enhanced capital expenditure, industrial diversification, and promotion of renewable energy initiatives. The findings are significant in terms of policy formation as they provide insights into major causes of persistent fiscal stress in Punjab. Further, the policy recommendations based on these findings offer a roadmap for improving/correcting fiscal health and creating a sustainable public finance management.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Anjana Nagpal
Economics, DGC, Gurugram, Haryana, India.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/nabme/v11/6556