This book analyses the reasons for relying on behavioural contraception methods among urban
'elites' in India and examines their efficacy in controlling fertility. It also traces
variations in contraception choice over the reproductive cycle of women. Although researchers
and policy makers generally equate reliance on behavioural contraceptive methods with low
levels of education and awareness and lack of desire to control fertility this perception has
been questioned in recent years. The authors' analysis of the first three rounds of the
National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data in India reveals that behavioural contraceptive
methods are popular in eastern India. Moreover it is urban educated women who rely on
behavioural methods and are apparently able to regulate fertility quite effectively with such
methods. NFHS data however has some limitations and this motivates the authors to explore
birth control methods through primary surveys of currently married graduate women in Kolkata.
The use of behavioural contraception methods is a little researched area globally and this is
the first book focusing on the topic in India.
