Beyond sterilization for family planning: exploring contraceptive dynamics in India using multinomial logistic regression analysis

Despite long-standing family planning strategies, the use of reversible methods still remains uneven across socio-economic backgrounds. Therefore, the study aims to explore the profile of reversible method mix (modern reversible and traditional methods) and its underlying factors among currently married Indian women. The study included 190,010 currently married women from the latest round of the National Family Health Survey (2019-21). Bivariate chi-square tests, Wagstaff concentration index, and multinomial logistic regression models were used to address the study objectives. Nearly a quarter of women (24.18%) did not use any form of contraception. However, modern reversible methods (47.76%) followed by traditional methods (28.06%) dominate the profile of reversible method use, amongst which the male condom (25.87%) is the most prevalent method. The odds of using modern reversible methods were higher among those who aged 30–34 (RRR: 2.05; 1.90–2.20), had daughter only (RRR: 1.28; 1.22–1.35), completed secondary education (RRR: 1.14; 1.10–1.19), richest (RRR: 1.43; 1.36–1.51), Muslims (RRR: 1.08; 1.04–1.12), resided in north region (RRR: 3.78; 3.60–3.97) conversely lower among those who were rural dwellers (RRR: 0.84; 0.81–0.86), had more than 2 children (RRR: 0.79; 0.76–0.81), were SC/ST (RRR: 0.95; 0.91–0.98) and had no media exposure (RRR: 0.75; 0.71–0.79). However, women aged 35 or above (RRR: 3.13; 2.88–3.41) and those residing in the east region (RRR: 5.78; 5.43–6.15) had a greater likelihood of using traditional methods. The study’s findings stress the need for a targeted approach for groups that rely on traditional methods, particularly older women, as well as area-specific programmes in regions with a high prevalence of traditional users.