Socio-economic determinants of modern contraceptive use among married women in Kerala, Bihar and North-East India: a comparative analysis

Heisnam Ruhi Singh; Kshetrimayum Anand Singh

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20264075

Authors

Heisnam Ruhi Singh Department of Statistics Manipur University, Canichipur, Imphal, Manipur, India
Kshetrimayum Anand Singh Department of Statistics Manipur University, Canichipur, Imphal, Manipur, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20264075

Keywords:

Logistic regression, Modern contraceptive use, NFHS

Abstract

Background: The various effective ways to use contraceptive methods taken divergent steps toward attaining the SDG target of universal access to sexual and reproductive health care services by 2030. However, due to the lack of widespread use of contraceptive methods by married women due to the misconceptions about female contraceptive methods and lack of proper information, women are often reluctant to family planning, and men have to tolerate the problem. So, it is essential to study the significant determinants of modern contraceptive methods. The present research aimed to examine the trend of use of modern contraceptive methods among currently married women using data from latest three rounds of NFHS in Kerala, Bihar, and North-East India. Also, to identify the significant covariates that influence the use of modern contraceptives.

Methods: A multivariate logistic regression to estimate the odds ratio (OR) for various covariates that are found to be significantly associated with modern contraceptive use.

Results: There is a decline in modern contraceptive use from NFHS-3 to NFHS-4 but increases in NFHS-5. Kerala shows the highest prevalence among the three regions. Age of women, educational level, religion, ethnicity, place of residence, desire for more children, number of living children, ideal number of children, wealth index, and media exposure are important covariates that significantly influence the use of modern contraceptive methods.

Conclusions: However, the educational level of women, except for higher education and ethnic groups belonging to OBC, does not affect the behavior of using modern contraceptives significantly.

References

United Nations. World Family Planning. United Nations Deparment of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division; 2022:43.

Kumar A, Jain AK, Aruldas K, Mozumdar A, Shukla A, Acharya R, et al. Is economic inequality in family planning in India associated with the private sector? J Biosoc Sci. 2020;52(2):248-59.

International Institute for Population Sciences. National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4):2015-16, India, 2016. Available at: https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/fr339/fr339.pdf. Accessed 01 June 2026.

New JR, Cahill N, Stover J, Gupta YP, Alkema L. Levels and trends in contraceptive prevalence, unmet need, and demand for family planning for 29 states and union territories in India: a modelling study using the Family Planning Estimation Tool. Lancet Glob Heal. 2017;5(3):e350-8.

Unumeri G, Ishaku S, Ahonsi B, Oginni A. Contraceptive use and its socio-economic determinants among women in north-east and north-west regions of Nigeria: A comparative analysis. Etude la Popul Africaine. 2015;29(2):1851-74.

Mondal B, Ao M, Narzary K, Lhungdim H. Demography India modern contraceptive use and reproductive intention among currently married men in northeast, India. Demogr India. 2024;53(1):120-33.

Sharma A, Kumar A, Mohanty SK, Mozumdar A. Comparative analysis of contraceptive use in Punjab and Manipur: exploring beyond women’s education and empowerment. BMC Public Health. 2022;22(1):1-13.

International Institute for Population Sciences. National Family Health Survey (NFHS-3), 2005-06: India. Vol I, 2007. Available at: https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/frind3/frind3-vol1andvol2.pdf. Accessed 01 June 2026.

International Institute for Population Sciences. National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5): 2019-21 India, 2021. Available at: https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR375/FR375.pdf. Accessed 01 June 2026.

Xun P, He Q. Multivariate Analysis. Handbook Of Medical Statistics; 2017:103-144.

Hosmer Jr DW, Lemeshow S, Sturdivant RX. Applied logistic regression. John Wiley & Sons; 2013.

Sikdar R, Bansod DW. Wealth differentials and contraceptive choices among women in India: insights from NFHS-5 (2019-21). BMC Public Health. 2025;25(1):3191.

Agrawal R, Mishra M, Rehman T, Surendran G, Sinha A, Kanungo S, et al. Utilization of modern temporary contraceptive methods and its predictors among reproductive-aged women in India: insights from NFHS-5 (2019-21). Front Glob Women’s Heal. 2023;4(October):1-11.

Kundu S, Kundu S, Rahman A, Kabir H, Banna H Al, Basu S, et al. Prevalence and determinants of contraceptive method use among Bangladeshi women of reproductive age: a multilevel multinomial analysis. BMC Public Health. 2022;22(1):2357.

Rahaman M, Singh R, Chouhan P, Roy A, Ajmer S, Rana MJ. Levels, patterns and determinants of using reversible contraceptives for limiting family planning in India: evidence from National Family Health Survey, 2015-16. BMC Womens Health. 2022;22(1):1-13.