Understanding the Dynamics of Modern Contraception Discontinuation Among Women in India

Contraceptive discontinuation as a concerning issue in the domain of sexual and reproductive health simply indicates switching from one contraceptive method to another or the termination of a method. Through the dynamics of contraception discontinuation, this chapter aims to explore the levels, patterns, and determinants of the discontinuation of cause-specific modern reversible contraception in India. The chapter used data from the fifth round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), conducted in 2019–2021, and took a weighted sample of 53,213 women aged 15–49 years. The weighted frequencies and percentages for explanatory variables, bivariate results for causes behind contraceptive discontinuation, and multivariable binary logistic regression were performed to examine the association between explanatory variables and different causes for contraceptive discontinuation. Reasons for contraceptive discontinuation were desire for a child (41.7%), adverse side effects on health (14.1%), and spousal out-migration (11.7%). Older age, higher age at marriage, contraceptive methods used, women’s residing in rural places, women’s education, the wealth status of women, and their family size are the most significant factors in discontinuing contraceptives. The chapter’s findings suggest that reproductive women be aware of newly launched modern reversible contraceptive methods and their accessibility and suggest using contraceptives under proper guidance from professional medical providers and health providers.