Antenatal Care and Contraceptive Behavior in India: Some Evidence from the National Family Health Survey

Abstract

Contraception as a behavioral phenomenon has been the focus of many population researches, during the last half a century. In fact, explaining contraceptive behavior is a complex theoretical effort. Learning, motivation,
intention formation and experimentation - all in a social-cultural context contribute to the adaptation of contraceptive behavior. For its link with culture; religion; one's perception of self; and one's role in family, the neighborhood and the community, this adaptation is of major significance. Contraceptive behavior has been explained amply in terms of socio-economic characteristics at the individual as well as social level.