Contraceptive Behaviour and its Determinants among Scheduled Tribes in India: A Regional Analysis

Abstract

Using information collected from 10,815 currently married Scheduled Tribe (ST) women aged 15-49 years incorporated in the third round of National Family Health Survey, 2005-06, this study analyzes the differential contraceptive behavior and its determinants across regions of India. Inferential statistics and multivariate techniques are used as the methods of analysis. The family planning preference, method mix and its determinants among ST women varies largely across the regions though female sterilization remains as the most adopted family planning method. ST women from North-eastern region are less likely to use any modern method [OR=0.52; P<0.001; CI:0.40-0.67], and female sterilization [OR=0.38; P<0.001; CI:0.28-0.50], but more likely to use any modern spacing method [OR=1.20;0.80-1.80] than those from Northern region. Higher age, at least one living son, education, working outside the household and media exposure are other important covariates that are associated with the utilization of family planning methods.