title: Sociodemographic variables of contraceptive practice in Sikkim.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective was to assess sociodemographic characteristics of men who use contraceptive and to compare them with men whose wives use contraceptive.
  
  
  METHODS
  
  
  
  METHODS
  A population-based cross-sectional study was performed.
  
  
  METHODS
  It was performed in rural setting of the Sang PHC and Pakyong PHC service areas in Sikkim, India.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 596 currently married men enrolled in the eligible couple registers.
  
  
  METHODS
  No interventions occurred.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sociodemographic correlates of contraceptive use were analyzed: occupation, religion, ethnicity, literacy, age, loss of children, and distance from health facility.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The use of contraceptive was high among the cultivators - men (44.45%), spouse (36.01%) followed by persons in Government service, respectively, 31.49% and 31.55%. Hindu men (55.42%), women (69.25%), and other backward communities (OBC) men (47.53%) and their wives (52.31%) were the majority users. A significantly higher number of users of contraceptive were literate men (72.33%) and their wives (86.17%) (χ(2)=0.021, P> 0.05). Highest use was found in men and women (44.47%) in the 35 years and above (43.83) age group. But this difference was not significant. With the increase in the number of losses of children the contraceptive use declined among men and their spouses. Contraceptive users were higher at distances 1 hour and above from the health center compared to others.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The finding of the research indicated that sociodemographic correlates determine the magnitude of the contraceptive use among couples in a rural community. A research agenda should define factors at both macro and micro levels that interact to adversely impinge on reproductive health outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Secretariat office, Gangtok, Sikkim, India.
authors.forename: Y D
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Chankapa
authors.forename: Dechenla
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tsering
authors.forename: Sumit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kar
authors.forename: Mausumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Basu
authors.forename: Ranabir
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pal