Wanted and unwanted fertility in selected states of India

This study relied on new measures of wanted and unwanted fertility based on actual and wanted parity progression ratios (PPRs). The study was conducted among selected states in India with varying levels of fertility and socioeconomic development. Data were obtained from the 1992-93 National Family Health Survey of India, among ever married women aged 13-49 years for Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, and Kerala. Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan had low socioeconomic development and were the most populous states. These states included about 75% of women who were illiterate and a little over 25% who were exposed to radio. Fertility ranged from 3.6-4.8 births/woman. Wanted PPRs are the adjusted proportions of women who want more children. The unwanted fertility rate (UFR) is the difference between the total marital fertility rate and the wanted total marital fertility rate (WTMFR). The UFR was lowest in Kerala (0.37 unwanted births) and highest in Uttar Pradesh (1.46). The remaining states had UFRs of about 1 child/woman. The 4 largest states had a WTMFR ranging from 2.95-3.81. Multivariate analysis revealed that education, religion, exposure to mass media family planning messages, experience of child loss, and son preference were the main determinants of contraceptive use among women wanting no more children. Regardless of socioeconomic status, Muslim women were less likely to desire no more children or use contraception.