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Background In India, the usage of modern contraception methods among women is relatively lower in comparison to other developed economies. Even within India, there is a state-wise variation in family planning use that leads to unintended pregnancies. Significantly less evidence is available regarding the determinants of modern contraception use and the level of inequalities associated with this. Therefore, the present study has examined the level of inequalities in modern contraception use among currently married women in India. Methods This study used the fourth round of National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4) conducted in 2015-16. Our analysis has divided the uses of contraception into three modern methods of family planning such as Short-Acting Reversible Contraception (SARC), Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) and permanent contraception methods. SARC includes pills, injectable, and condoms, while LARC includes intrauterine devices, implants, and permanent contraception methods (i.e., male and female sterilization). We have employed a concentration index to examine the level of socioeconomic inequalities in utilizing modern contraception methods. Results Our results show that utilization of permanent methods of contraception is more among the currently married women in the higher age group (40–49) as compared to the lower age group (25–29). Women aged 25–29 years are 3.41 times (OR: 3.41; 95% CI: 3.30–3.54) more likely to use SARC methods in India. Similarly, women with 15 + years of education and rich are more likely to use the LARC methods. At the regional level, we have found that southern region states are three times more likely to use permanent methods of contraception. Our decomposition results show that women age group (40–49), women having 2–3 children and richer wealth quintiles are more contributed for the inequality in modern contraceptive use among women. Conclusions The use of SARC and LARC methods by women who are marginalized and of lower socioeconomic status is remarkably low. Universal free access to family planning methods among marginalized women and awareness campaigns in the rural areas could be a potential policy prescription to reduce the inequalities of contraceptive use among currently married women in India.

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a major public health issue, particularly in underdeveloped nations, where limited knowledge contributes to high prevalence among women facing socio-economic and educational barriers. To the best of our knowledge, no study has comprehensively examined HIV knowledge among Somali married women using nationally representative data. This study aims to assess the level of comprehensive HIV knowledge and its determinants among currently married women in Somalia, identifying regions and groups with limited awareness to prioritize targeted education and healthcare interventions, support NSP goals, and provide baseline data for future efforts. A multivariable ordinal logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship between comprehensive HIV knowledge and various sociodemographic factors using data from the 2018-2019 SDHS. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to determine significant associations. The analysis revealed that 55.1% of respondents had high comprehensive knowledge of HIV. Moreover, the study found the following significant factors associated with comprehensive HIV knowledge: Women aged 30-34 had an AOR of 1.25 (95% CI: 1.02-1.53) compared to those aged 15-19. Regionally, compared to women in the Awdal region, women in Gedo had an AOR of 0.39 (95% CI: 0.29-0.52), while women in Lower Juba had an AOR of 0.52 (95% CI: 0.38-0.69). Women in nomadic settings had an AOR of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.51-0.74) compared to urban dwellers. Women with higher education had an AOR of 3.04 (95% CI: 1.85-5.00) compared to uneducated women. Women in the highest wealth quintile had an AOR of 1.28 (95% CI: 1.03-1.59) compared to the poorest women. The findings stress the need for public campaigns in rural, nomadic, and urban areas with limited HIV knowledge. Interventions should prioritize improving education access and enhancing media outreach to boost awareness and prevention efforts among Somali women.

Background: Decision-making autonomy as a component of women's status is a less studied indicator of fertility behaviour in Nigeria. Data and Methods: The study utilizes the 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) data to determine women's characteristics associated with decision-making autonomy and examine the influence of decision-making autonomy on fertility behaviour among currently married women in Nigeria. Relationships between decision-making autonomy and fertility behaviour were examined using Poisson and Binary logistic regressions. Results: Results showed that, about 60% of currently married women were of low autonomy. Decision-making autonomy was associated with women's age, age at marriage, level of education, religion, employment status, type of residence and household wealth status. The result further showed that women's decision-making autonomy was significantly associated with lower number of living children and increased contraceptive use. Conclusion: The study concludes that women's decision-making autonomy is an important predictor of fertility behaviour among currently married women in Nigeria.

Background Evidence suggests that couples frequently dispute regarding the desirability of pregnancy, as well as whether or not to employ family planning measures. There are numerous unmet needs owing to partner or family objections, according to a scares study that illustrates women’s independent decision-making capacity on whether or not to use a contraceptive. As a result, the purpose of this study was to analyze women’s independent decision-making power and determinants of not using contraceptives. Methods Reproductive age group women aged (15–49 years) currently married who are not pregnant and are currently not using family planning preceding five years the survey was included from the individual record (IR file) file using standard demographic and health survey datasets of Ethiopia. Using multilevel logistic regression models, we investigated the relationship between several independent factors and women’s independent decision-making not to use contraception. The adjusted odds ratios were evaluated using 95% confidence intervals. Results A total of 5,598 currently married women were included in this study. Individual level factors significantly associated with women independent decision making on not to use contraceptive were female-led households (AOR = 2.11; 95% CI = 1.60–2.78), being orthodox ( AOR = 1.84; 95% CI = 1.39–2.44 ) and protestant ( AOR = 1.62; 95% CI = 1.17–2.23), and belonging to more than one union (AOR = 1.48; 95% CI = 1.12–1.95). Whereas, low community education (AOR = 1.19; 95%= 1.00-1.49) and regions: in Tigray (AOR = 2.19; 95%CI = 1.51–3.16), Afar (AOR = 1.74; 95% CI = 1.14–2.64), Amhara (AOR = 2.45; 95% CI = 1.71–3.500), South Nations Nationality (AOR = 1.87; 95% CI = 1.32–2.65), Gambela (AOR = 2.58; 95% CI = 1.73–3.84), Hareri (AOR = 3.93; 95% CI = 2.62–5.88), and Dre DDewa (AOR = 1.66; 95% CI = 1.12–2.45) were community-level factors. Conclusion Women’s independent decision-making power not to use contraceptives was low and greatly affected by both individual and community-level factors. Therefore, it is necessary to develop policies and create programs that promote women’s empowerment by incorporating their partners in each region of the nation to encourage women’s independent decision-making authority to use or not to use a contraceptive.

Sex determination refers to knowing the sex of foetus during prenatal period for non-medical reasons. Attitude of married women to sex determination is important to improve the sex ratio at birth. This study aimed to assess preference on sex determination and associated factors among currently married reproductive age group women. This cross-sectional community-based study was done during 2016-2017 among 2228 currently married women of 18-49 years' age group in urban and rural Puducherry, India. Information on the demographic characteristics, level of awareness and preference for sex determination was obtained. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify factors influencing preference for sex determination. Unadjusted and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) as a measure of effects was used. Of 1979 respondents, all were aware that sex determination is possible. Majority of them did not prefer sex determination (95.4%, 1888). About 80 (4.0%) preferred, while 11 (0.6%) were undecided about it. Majority of them were aware that sex determination without medical indication is a crime. Common source of information was healthcare workers (76.4%). After adjusting for confounders, age group (18-24, AOR = 5.334; 25-29, AOR = 3.249; 30-34, AOR = 3.857; 35-39, AOR = 2.279), middle level education (AOR = 2.3), those with unmet need for family planning (AOR = 2.970) and urban area (AOR = 67.679) subjects were preferred more; housewife (AOR = 0.481) and those without living son (AOR = 0.406) had preferred lesser for sex determination compared to their counterparts. About one in 25 currently married women preferred sex determination. It is comparatively more in urban areas. High-risk groups should be educated to develop correct awareness and attitude on prenatal sex determination.

Background Ethiopia’s population is growing at about 2.7% annually with a fertility rate of 4.1 births per woman. However, as per the knowledge of the researcher, not enough studies have been done in Ethiopia to identify factors associated with women’s fertility levels. Objective To assess the number of children ever born and its associated factors among currently married reproductive-age Ethiopian women. Method Data of 5613 currently married women were extracted from the 2019 Ethiopian Mini Demographic and Health Survey (EMDHS). Stata version 14 was used for data extraction, processing, and analysis. Descriptive data were summarized using descriptive statistics. A multivariable negative binomial regression was used for the inferential analysis. Incidence rate ratio (IRR) and its 95% CI were respectively used to measure the associations and their statistical significance. Result The median number of children ever born per currently married Ethiopian woman was 3 with an iterquarter range of 4 (1–5) children. Age of a woman at her first birth (aIRR = 0.958, 95% CI: 0.954, 0.961), being protestant (aIRR = 1.128, 95%CI: 1.068, 1.193), being Muslim (aIRR = 1.096, 95% CI: 1.043, 1.151), and being from other religious groups than Orthodox Christianity (aIRR = 1.353, 95% CI: 1.036, 1.766) are positively associated with bearing more children. On the other hands, completing primary education (aIRR = 0.664, 95% CI: 0.640,0.689), secondary education(aIRR = 0.541, 95%CI: 0.504,0.582), higher education(aIRR = 0.527, 95%CI: 0.479, 0.580), being from a richest household(aIRR = 0.899, 95%CI: 0.840, 0.962), using modern contraceptive (aIRR = 0.877, 95%CI: 0.847, 0.908), living in the Afar (aIRR = 0.785, 95%CI: 0.718,0.859), Amhara (aIRR = 0.890, 95%CI: 0.718,0.859), Gambella (aIRR = 0.894, 95%CI: 0.820,0.974), and Addid Ababa(0.845, 95%CI: 0.760,0.939) are negatively associated with bearing more children. Conclusion Promoting women’s empowerment, encouraging women’s academic advancement, and community-based educational intervention are recommended to have optimal and decreased numbers of children.

Background In spite of the massive spending and extensive family-planning promotion, many poor people in the third world remain reluctant to use modern contraceptive method. Mostly when they use modern contraceptives, their continuation rates are often low. Reproductive health can improve women’s nutrition; in return better nutrition can improve reproductive health. Thus addressing the connection between nutrition and reproductive health is critical to ensure population growth that does not overwhelm world resources. Methods A community based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 15–30, 2014 in Soddo Zuria Woreda, Southern Ethiopia. A total of 651 currently married women of reproductive age group were selected using multistage sampling. Probability proportional to the size allocation method was employed to determine the number of households. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association between family planning use and food security status after adjusting for other covariates. Results Use of modern contraceptive method was significantly low among food insecure women (29.7 %) compared to those who were food secure (52.0 %), ( P  < 0.001). Women from food secure households were nearly twice likely to use modern contraceptive methods (AOR: 1.69 (CI: 1.03, 2.66)). Similarly, those who had antenatal care (ANC) visit (AOR: 4.56 (CI: 2.45, 7.05)); exposure to media (AOR: 4.92 (CI: 1.84, 13.79)) and those who discussed about contraceptive methods with their partner (AOR: 3.07 (CI: 1.86, 5.22)) were more likely to use modern contraceptive methods. Conversely, women who delivered their last child at home were less likely to use modern contraceptive methods (AOR: 0.08 (CI: 0.03, 0.13)). Conclusion Food insecurity is negatively associated with modern contraceptive method use. Thus food insecurity should be considered as one of the barriers in designing family planning services and needs special arrangement.