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Female sterilisation in rural Bihar: what are the acceptor characteristics?

Thind A

Department of Health Services, UCLA School of Public Health, 90095-1772, USA. amardeep@ucla.edu

OBJECTIVE: The National Population Policy aims to expand voluntary and informed use of contraceptive services. This paper examines the determinants of use of female sterilisation versus other contraceptive methods in rural Bihar, one of the most socially and economically deprived states in India. METHODS: Data for 1378 ever-married women aged 15-49 years in rural Bihar, who are currently using contraception, were abstracted from the Second National Family Health Survey. A logistic regression model was developed to understand the determinants of use of female sterilisation versus other contraceptive methods. RESULTS: Maternal age, the number of living sons, religion, scheduled caste/tribe/backward class status, exposure to mass media and household standard of living are statistically significant determinants of the choice between sterilisation and other contraceptive methods. CONCLUSION: The study underscores the need to significantly broaden the contraceptive choice for women in rural Bihar.

Published 21 February 2005 in J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care, 31(1): 34-6.
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