Abstract JSSP

Trend and Differentials of a Socio-Demographic Scenario and Extent of Adolescent Fertility in Maharashtra, India
Puspita DUTTA1, Sanjit SARKAR2
1 Manager-Research, Population Service International, New Delhi, INDIA 
2 International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, INDIA
E-mail: puspita@psi.org.in, sanjitiips@gmail.com
Pages: 41- 47			    
Abstract. This study examines trends in rural-urban differentials since 1970 and consequences of adolescent fertility in Maharashtra. Results indicate that the contribution of adolescent fertility in total fertility level is quite high in Maharashtra compared to the national value. This proportion is significantly higher in rural Maharashtra (12%) than in the urban counterpart (7%). Though the trends of adolescent fertility share to the overall fertility in Maharashtra are somehow stagnant after 1990, the rural picture is different than the urban one. The share of adolescent fertility has declined at a much faster rate in the urban than in the rural Maharashtra after 1990. Adolescent childbearing also varies along with the socio-demographic characteristics of teenage girls. It can be confirmed by three rounds of The National Family and Health Survey that early age (15-19) childbearing is more frequent among Muslims, illiterate women and those belonging to the Schedule Caste compared to their respective counterparts. Women’s work status shows significant influence on adolescent fertility. The study shows that 47% of adolescent working women began childbearing while more than 72% of non working women began childbearing in 2005-2006. To understand the extent of childbearing among adolescents, the study uses the Mean Number of Children Ever Born (MCEB) per adolescent. We found that MCEB among adolescents decreased steadily from 1992-93 to 2005-2006. Finally, it can be said that while the Total Fertility Rate is declining in India as well as in Maharashtra, the teenage fertility is still high but its contribution to Total Fertility Rate shows a decline.

K e y w o r d s: adolescent fertility, childbearing, reproductive health, high-risk sexual behaviour








			Trend and Differentials of a Socio-Demographic Scenario and Extent of Adolescent Fertility in Maharashtra, India Puspita DUTTA1, Sanjit SARKAR2 1 Manager-Research, Population Service International, New Delhi, INDIA 2 International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, INDIA E-mail: puspita@psi.org.in, sanjitiips@gmail.com Pages: 41- 47 Abstract. This study examines trends in rural-urban differentials since 1970 and consequences of adolescent fertility in Maharashtra. Results indicate that the contribution of adolescent fertility in total fertility level is quite high in Maharashtra compared to the national value. This proportion is significantly higher in rural Maharashtra (12%) than in the urban counterpart (7%). Though the trends of adolescent fertility share to the overall fertility in Maharashtra are somehow stagnant after 1990, the rural picture is different than the urban one. The share of adolescent fertility has declined at a much faster rate in the urban than in the rural Maharashtra after 1990. Adolescent childbearing also varies along with the socio-demographic characteristics of teenage girls. It can be confirmed by three rounds of The National Family and Health Survey that early age (15-19) childbearing is more frequent among Muslims, illiterate women and those belonging to the Schedule Caste compared to their respective counterparts. Women’s work status shows significant influence on adolescent fertility. The study shows that 47% of adolescent working women began childbearing while more than 72% of non working women began childbearing in 2005-2006. To understand the extent of childbearing among adolescents, the study uses the Mean Number of Children Ever Born (MCEB) per adolescent. We found that MCEB among adolescents decreased steadily from 1992-93 to 2005-2006. Finally, it can be said that while the Total Fertility Rate is declining in India as well as in Maharashtra, the teenage fertility is still high but its contribution to Total Fertility Rate shows a decline. K e y w o r d s: adolescent fertility, childbearing, reproductive health, high-risk sexual behaviour