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


CONCLUSIONS
The study underscores the need to significantly broaden the contraceptive choice for women in rural Bihar.
Thind
Amardeep
A
Department of Health Services, UCLA School of Public Health, 90095-1772, USA. amardeep@ucla.edu
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003267:Contraception / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016656:Family Planning Policy; D005193:Family Planning Services / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D018596:Hinduism; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007514:Islam; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013245:Sterilization, Reproductive / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*