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Family Planning Practices among Tribal women: An insight from Northeast India

Mithun Mog, Shekhar Chauhan, Ajit Kumar Jaiswal, Ajit Kumar Jaiswal, Arobindo Mahato

Despite widespread knowledge of family planning among the tribal population, the contraceptive prevalence is dismal. The present study is an attempt to examine the prevalence and determinants of contraception use in the North-eastern states of India. Methods: We have utilized the fourth round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS- 4, 2015-16) dataset. The final sample size used in the present study is 65,941 women aged 15-49 years. Bivariate and multivariate techniques have been used. This study used the Chi-square test to confirm the relationship between variables for a robust multivariable model. Results: Despite widespread knowledge about contraception across North-eastern states, only 35% of women used modern contraception. The Pill is the most commonly preferred contraception among tribal and non-tribal women. About 60% of tribal women were not using any contraceptives as against 48% of non-tribal women. Tribal women in the age group 20-24, 25-29, and 30-34 are about two times more likely to use any methods of contraception than tribal women in the age group 15-19. Conclusion The study indicates that having extensive knowledge about family planning does not promote the use of contraception. Family planning is crucial, and subsequent efforts are needed to improve access and strengthen the health system to cater to the unmet need for family planning. There is also a need to prioritize Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities among tribal women. Since settlements are scattered over the vast area in north-eastern states, there is a need to have strategies that allow easy access to contraception among tribal and non-tribal women.