Physical Domestic Violence and Subsequent Contraceptive Adoption in Uttar Pradesh, India

Rob Stephenson, Emory University

This study examines the impact of experiencing physical domestic violence on the subsequent adoption of contraception among married women of reproductive age (15-45) in Uttar Pradesh, India. The data set for this analysis is the 1995-96 PERFORM System of Indicators Survey (PSIS), using matched data from married couples. A Cox regression model is fitted to the data, with the adoption of a modern method of contraception during the 36 month exposure period representing the failure event. The key individual variable of interest is whether the husband reports physical domestic violence towards his wife (data on domestic violence as collected only from the husband). The study finds evidence of a negative relationship between the experiencing of physical domestic violence and a woman’s subsequent contraceptive adoption. The study also finds evidence for a relationship between community attitudes towards gender roles and contraceptive adoption.