Publication:

Socio-demographic determinants and modern family planning usage pattern-an analysis of National Family Health Survey-IV data

Background India, which accounts for world's 17.5 percent population, is the second most populous country in the world next only to China (19.4%). The major objective of the NFHS surveys has been to strengthen India’s demographic and health database, to anticipate and meet the country’s needs for data on emerging health and family welfare issues. The objectives of the study were to study the different background characteristics of women adopting different family planning methods and to analyze the associated socio-demographic factors..

Methods Secondary data analysis of NFHS 4 datasets obtained from DHS program portal. Appropriate statistical testing of associated socio-demographic variables done and interpreted accordingly.

Results Out of total 63696 couples, 99.2% women and 98.6% men knew modern method of contraception, 48.6% were currently using modern method of contraception and 7.4% traditional method. The majority (34%) women adopted female sterilization as current method of contraception. There is interstate variation in the contraceptive prevalence rate highest (80.60%) in Chandigarh compared to least (26.64%) in Goa. There is significant association observed between place of residence, religion, wealth index, women education, education of husband towards current contraceptive use.

Conclusions About 45% of population increase is contributed by births above two children per family. The adoption of appropriate method of contraception by couples made available through quality family planning services and empowering women by proper behavior change communication will help improve the present contraceptive prevalence rate especially among the vulnerable groups.