The Determinants of Contraceptive Discontinuation in Northern India: A Multilevel Analysis of Calendar Data

Author(s): Zhang F, Tsui A O, Suchindran C M

Year: 1999

Abstract:
Using contraceptive calendar data collected in a sample survey in a northern Indian state, we study the determinants of contraceptive discontinuation by reason and method. Reason-specific continuation rates differ significantly by method and source. With a multilevel, multinomial discrete-time hazard model, we find effects from socioeconomic wellbeing, age, parity, travel time, method access, method type and source on reason-specific risks for contraceptive discontinuation. Unobserved factors at the individual and community levels significantly affect contraceptive discontinuation by reason. Some shared unobserved risk factors across the competing alternatives are also present in the models.