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CONCORDANCE BETWEEN PARTNERS IN DESIRED WAITING TIME TO BIRTH FOR NEWLYWEDS IN INDIA
Authors: ABHISHEK SINGH and STAN BECKER
Source: Journal of Biosocial Science, January 2012 44 : pp 57-71, DOI: 10.1017/S0021932011000459
Topic(s): Contraception
Family planning
Country: Asia
  India
Published: JAN 2012
Abstract: Summary Examining waiting time to birth among newlywed couples is likely to provide insights into the desire for spacing births among newlywed husbands and wives. Data from the Indian National Family Health Survey of 2005–06 are used to examine the desired waiting time (DWT) to birth among newlywed couples. The dependent variable is spousal concordance on desired waiting times. Overall 65% of couples have concordant desired waiting times. Among discordant couples, wives were more likely to want to wait longer than their husbands. Couples from richer wealth quintiles were more likely than couples from the poorest quintile to have concordant desired waiting times. Muslims were less likely than Hindus to have concordant desires. There is a need for spacing contraceptive methods among newlyweds in India. This may have implications for the Indian Family Planning Programme, which to date has largely focused on sterilization. Programmes need to include newlywed husbands to promote use of spacing methods.