IS NEPAL IN THE PATH OF REPLACEMENT FERTILITY? A STUDY BASED ON PREFERENCE PRACTICE AND ACHIEVEMENT.

This study aims to examine linkages between development indicators such as demographic factors, socio-economic factors and other factors with preferred family size and family planning practices and these factor’s entire linkages with replacement level of fertility in Nepal.

Secondary analysis of 2011 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey data will be performed to examine the relationship between socio-economic, demographic and other factors with preferences and use of a modern method of contraception among currently married, nonpregnant women between the ages of 15 and 49.

The relationship will further be analyzed to assess whether the fertility decline in Nepal is due to use of modern contraception and fertility preferences and based on this analysis, the conclusion will be drawn whether Nepal is in the path of replacement fertility. Frequencies will be examined; bivariate and multivariate analysis will be undertaken using logistic regression analysis taking survey weight into account. The software STATA12 will be used for data analysis. This kind of relationship between socio-economic, demographic factors with family and their entire relationship with fertility preference, contraceptive practices and actual fertility is necessary to be searched for the family planning policy implications in Nepal.