Contraceptive Method Skew in India 1992-2016: Analysis Using a New Method Skew Index

Area of Science:

• Demography
• Public Health
• Sociology

Background:

• Method skew, the disparity in the use of different family planning methods, presents regional variations in India.
• Understanding the drivers of method skew is crucial for effective reproductive health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze method skew in India over two decades using a novel method skew index.
• To investigate the influence of socio-economic and religious factors on district-level method skew.
• To explore the relationship between method skew and contraceptive prevalence.

Main Methods:

• Development and application of a new method skew index.
• Classification modeling approach to analyze district-level data.
• Geographical analysis to identify regional patterns.

Main Results:

• Significant regional patterns in method skew were identified, with the South exhibiting high or very high levels.
• The influence of poverty, education, social class, and religion on method skew varies across different regions.
• A positive correlation was found between the degree of method skew and contraceptive prevalence at the district level.

Conclusions:

• Method skew in India is geographically patterned, with distinct regional drivers.
• Socio-economic and religious factors play a complex, region-specific role in shaping method skew.
• Increased contraceptive prevalence is associated with higher method skew, suggesting potential implications for method choice and access.