Contraception in Rural Maharashtra

The paper uses data from the National Family Health Survey, 1992-93 (NFHS-1). NFHS-2 in 1998-99 and one Baseline Sample Survey conducted by the Institute of Health Management, Pachod in 1998 to find out the level and trend in contraception in rural Maharashtra over the six year period. Use of contraceptives by married women measured by the Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) stood at 61 for the state, and 63 and 59 for rural and urban areas respectively in 1998-99. Above average rate of contraception in rural areas was explained by the higher acceptance of sterilization among women as against other methods. Despite higher incidence of contraception, Total Fertility Rate (TFR) for the state in general and rural areas in particular proved to be on the higher side being 2.52 and 2.74 respectively. The relatively low age at marriage was found to be principally responsible for higher TFR in Maharashtra.