Ethnic differences in contraceptive use in Sri Lanka

Area of Science:

• Demography
• Public Health
• Sociology

Background:

• In 1975 Sri Lanka, significant ethnic disparities in contraceptive use existed.
• The majority Sinhalese population exhibited higher contraception rates compared to Sri Lanka Tamils and Moors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the reasons behind differential contraceptive use among ethnic groups in Sri Lanka.
• To evaluate the roles of socioeconomic position, cultural differences, minority status, and access to family planning services.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from a 1975 national sample of women of childbearing age in Sri Lanka.
• Analyzed survey data to test hypotheses related to demand (socioeconomic, cultural, minority status) and availability (family planning access).

Main Results:

• Socioeconomic, cultural, and minority status factors did not adequately explain the higher contraceptive use among Sinhalese women.
• Evidence strongly suggests that differential access to family planning services was the primary driver of ethnic disparities in contraceptive use.

Conclusions:

• Ethnic differences in contraceptive utilization in 1975 Sri Lanka were predominantly linked to unequal access to family planning services.
• Policy interventions should focus on improving equitable access to reproductive health services across all ethnic groups.