Contraceptive practices among adolescent married women in Tamil Nadu, India

ObjectiveTo investigate the contraceptive practices among adolescent married women of Tamil Nadu state, India.MethodsWe used the data of District Level Household Survey-Reproductive Child Health (DLHS-RCH), Round-II which was conducted in two phases (phase-I during 2002-2003 and phase-II during 2003–2004) in Tamil Nadu. The data consist of 25 522 ever-married women.ResultsAbout 92 percent of the subjects are not currently using any of the contraceptive methods. In terms of social characteristics of married women, who were currently using or not using any one of the family planning methods, caste is found to be highly significant (P <0.000). In economic characteristics per cent of using contraception is considerably higher in the women with medium standard of living. Difference between number of children ever born, gravida and using of contraception methods is highly significant (P <0.000).ConclusionsStudy is indicative of implementation of new programme, which may increase awareness about family planning programme in Tamil Nadu state.