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World Contraception Day: Contraceptive use dips in several states, reveals National Family and Health Survey data

However, the NFHS data has not been released for all states, making it difficult to arrive at a conclusion.

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The National Family and Health Survey (NFHS-4) data released for 14 states reveals that there has been a decline in the use of contraceptives as compared to the last NFHS survey conducted a decade ago.

With rising income levels and access to better healthcare options, one might imagine women having more say over their pregnancies, but the latest NFHS-4 data reveals a worrying trend.

Despite the gamut of options available, over 50% of women prefer female sterilization. However, the total fertility rate in most cases remains constant. Moreover, Maharashtra has see a rise in the usage of condoms, from 6.20% in NFHS-3 to 7.10% in the latest data.

"The data for 14 states reveals contradictory information. A decline in the use contraceptives in some states is worrying," said Dr Kalpana Apte, Secretary General of the Family Planning Association of India, a civil society organization.

Estimates suggest that around 20% of pregnancies in India are unplanned or unwanted and access to contraception is limited to wealthy women. Women in rural areas continue to depend on government supplies, which when interrupted limits their choice.

Some of the possible reasons for the decline in the use of contraceptives includes a weak supply chain, limited choice of methods, traditional focus on sterilization and a shortage of trained providers at the district level in many states.

"While there is a growing awareness about contraception, there is reluctance to use oral contraceptives due to myths associated with it," said Dr Anjali Talwalkar, a gynecologist at Kurla's Kohinoor Hospital. However, there is a growing preference for emergency contraceptives and the morning-after pill.

A majority of rural women tend to veer towards hysterectomy as they consider it a one-time procedure that might not require a follow-up with doctors on a regular basis. "Several women in their mid-30s, who abstain from contraceptives for religious reasons, prefer a hysterectomy as opposed to the general trend of opting for the procedure in their mid-40s for health reasons," added Dr Talwalkar.

The NFHS data has not been released for all states, making it difficult to arrive at a conclusion.

"We have a sizeable youth population, while early marriages are still common in rural areas. For women to be able to add to the country's GDP, it is important that they have control over the size of their family," added Dr Apte.

Cultural Barrier to Vasectomy

The male ego takes dominance over logic and practicality and they prefer woman undergo surgery.

Since vasectomy includes removal or blocking of the tubes that transport sperm to the penis, most men consider their manliness being chopped off.

Stats

Percentage of women using contraceptives (Married women between 15-49)
NFHS-4 (2015-16) NFHS-3 (2005-06)
64.8 66.9 Maharashtra
26.3 48.2 Goa
70.9 71.2 West Bengal
53.2 61.4 Tamil Nadu
Source: National Family and Health Survey (NFHS-4)

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