Family Planning Practices and their Determinants Among Married Women in a Rural Setting in Meerut

Vandana Kain, Sanjeev Kumar, Tanveer Bano, Ganesh Singh

Abstract: This study offers a grounded perspective into the intricate dynamics of contraceptive use among rural married women in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh-an area that continues to reflect the nuanced intersection of demography, education, and cultural belief systems. Despite national efforts to strengthen family planning, the uptake remains uneven, and this research thoughtfully dissects those disparities. It is evident that age, religion, education level, family structure, and the husband?s occupation meaningfully shaped contraceptive behavior, with usage peaking among women aged 25?29, those in joint families, and households led by unskilled workers. Interestingly, the high usage among illiterate women deviates from conventional assumptions, hinting at a possible shift influenced by increased grassroots-level awareness or improved service outreach. That said, the near parity between users (50.8%) and non-users (49.2%) suggests a persistent unmet need that goes beyond access-it may be about social comfort, familial endorsement, or even personal autonomy. This raises another point: why, despite greater awareness, do usage patterns still fluctuate so sharply by religion or education? The study?s methodological rigor-through multistage random sampling and thoughtful statistical analysis-adds weight to its findings. Ultimately, the blend of permanent methods like tubal ligation and temporary ones like condoms suggests a pragmatic yet constrained choice spectrum. There is still work to be done in bridging knowledge with sustained behavior change, and perhaps, reshaping societal narratives around family planning might be the way forward.

Keywords: contraceptive usage, rural women, family planning, socio-demographic factors, reproductive health

How to Cite?: Vandana Kain, Sanjeev Kumar, Tanveer Bano, Ganesh Singh, "Family Planning Practices and their Determinants Among Married Women in a Rural Setting in Meerut", Volume 14 Issue 7, July 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 678-682, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR25709152140, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR25709152140