A MULTIVARIATE DECOMPOSITION ANALYSIS OF UNWANTED PREGNANCIES IN INDIA

Unwanted pregnancy is the outstanding and determining factor in a chain of events whose outcome is often abortion and frequently the illness and death of a pregnant woman. The broad objective of the paper is to study the determining factors and decomposition of change in rate, composition and interaction of unwanted pregnancies. For fulfilling the objectives, National Family Health Survey-1 (1992-1993), National Family Health Survey-2 (1998-1999) and National Family Health Survey-3 (2005-2006) databases have been used. Age and total children ever born are the most important determining factors that have positive relation with unwanted pregnancy. The decomposition of change in unwanted pregnancy has revealed that each variable have its contribution over the time period. Hence, unwanted pregnancy is a phenomenon which requires a thorough understanding and an active implementation of policies (to control unwanted pregnancy) through Reproductive and Child Health Programme.