Adolescent fertility and contraception in India: implications for reproductive health

K. Anilkumar, Tata Institute of Social Sciences

This paper examines the fertility pattern, contraceptive use and associated factors among married adolescents in India and its states. Information from Sample Registration System and the NFHS 2 data are utilized for the purpose. Factors affecting contraception is studied using logistic regression analysis. Adolescent fertility in India has declined by about 39 percent during 1971-99; among the states, it ranges from 21 in Goa to 142 in Madhya Pradesh. Contribution of 15-19 age group to total fertility has declined only marginally during the past three decades. The high share of adolescent fertility in some of the states having relatively low fertility is disturbing. Use of contraception among adolescents is very low. The extent of unmet need of contraception among adolescents is far higher as compared to others. Logistic regression analysis showed the importance of selected variables. The paper subsequently discusses the implications of these and other findings.