Contraceptive Use and Desire for More Children in Rural Districts of Two States in India - a Community Based Cross Sectional Study (an ICMR Task Force Study)

Balwan Dhillon, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
Nomita Chandhiok, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)

Keeping in view comprehensive reproductive health care, to study the effect of met desire for children on contraceptive acceptance among married rural women aged 15-44 from one good and one poor performing state of India. Information on knowledge, attitude, practices of contraception, desire for additional children was collected from 52,414 women (22,344 from Uttar Pradesh (UP) and 30,070 from Tamil Nadu (TN)). Results reveal that 81% and 27% women at least three living children desire to have additional children in UP and TN respectively. Desire for only one male and one female children is higher in TN among younger women (56-96%) as compared to 18-51% in UP. Contraceptive use in UP and TN was 22.7% and 51.4% respectively. In UP 31% accepted a family planning after fulfilling their met desire for children as compared to 72% in TN. It is recommended to promote small family norm along with contraceptive use.