Socio-economic variables and modern contraceptive use among married women aged 15-49 in selected hamlets of rural central Java

Abstract

The aim of this study is to describe the relation between socioeconomic variables and modern contraceptive use among currently married women aged 15 to 49 in rural Central Java. Due to the nature of the data which have been used the present study makes no attempt to represent all rural Central Java. It is suggested that the results of this study apply only to the selected hamlets. Nonetheless it is likely that the result do reflect characteristics of women in similar circumstances in rural Central Java. In accord with other studies done in Indonesia, this study supports the hypothesis of a positive relationship between socio-economic variables and modern contraceptive use. However the evidence shows that differences between socio-economic classes were small and there was substantial use of modern contraceptives even among the poor and less-educated women. The propensity to use modern contraceptives was influenced by access to information and the range of services available, and the ability to bear the socio-economic costs of using any methods available. It is likely that the family planning program, with the support of community leaders and family planning groups, has made a significant effort to reach the poor and less-educated in rural areas. Show more