Study on the reproductive behavior among women of rural areas of Pondicherry

Background: The fertility rate in India is declining and it is necessary to know the factors responsible for such decline in different states. It was decided to study reproductive behavior of women contributing to decline in fertility in Pondicherry. The aim and objective of this study is known the reproductive behavior of women in the rural areas on Pondicherry.Methods: Sample of 300 married women aged between 30 and 60 years were selected randomly from village belonging to Katerikuppam PHC and the data collected using the pre tested semi open ended questionnaires by interviewing the subjects at their doorsteps during September to November 2014.Results: The mean age of the subjects was 41.5 ± 9.5 years. There were 793 total pregnancies and live births were 701 and abortions accounted for ten percent and still births were 9 in number. The mean number of pregnancies and live births were 2.6 ± 1.1 and 2.3 ± 1.0 per women respectively. The mean age at menarche, marriage and first pregnancy were 14.3 ± 1.4, 19.6 ± 3.1 and 21.1 ± 3.1 years respectively. The mean number of pregnancies were declined from currently older age to the lower age of the subjects and found to be statistically significant.Conclusions: The mean age at marriage and first pregnancy is increasing and the differences in the mean number of pregnancies and live births are showing declining trend.