Contextual Influences on Young Unmarried Women’s Knowledge about Various Contraceptive Methods in Rural India

Reuben Ogollah, University of Portsmouth
Abhishek Singh, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)
Tara Dean, University of Portsmouth
Saseendran Pallikadavath, University of Portsmouth

Data from the District Level Household Survey (DLHS) conducted in 2007-08 was used to examine the contextual influences on young unmarried women’s knowledge about various contraceptive methods in India using multilevel models. The contextual variables used in the models include connectivity of villages with all-weather roads, contraceptive use at the village level, and women’s literacy at the district level. Findings suggest that unmarried young women have limited knowledge about various temporary contraceptive methods. However, knowledge about terminal methods was substantial, particularly female methods. Multilevel analysis revealed that connectivity with all-weather roads was independently associated with knowledge about different methods of contraception. Women’s literacy at the district level was independently associated with knowledge about oral contraceptive pills, emergency contraceptive pills, condoms and female condoms. The decomposition of variance suggests a significant contribution of contextual variables in explaining young women’s knowledge about contraceptive methods in India.