Bayesian Hierarchical Modeling for Spatial Mapping of Sterilization Among Females in India Using R-Inla

Raman Mishra , International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)

This study shows a distinct geographic variation in the use of sterilization method among women in India at the state and district level. Data from National Family Health Survey 4th round, 2016, is used. Integrated Nested Laplace Approximations is employed, an approximate method for Bayesian inference. Posterior mean and posterior structured spatial random effects were mapped, which revealed that the females from North-east, and Eastern part of India’s districts are inclined to adopt sterilization, similar pattern were found for Southern, and Western districts. The decision to adopt sterilization is driven by factors; last birth cesarean, incentive, insurance, caste, income and literacy. Significant spatial clustering specially in southern and north-east regions is evident, revealing India’s family planning program is still skewed towards female sterilization. A gender trans-formative health strategy is required. Thus, strengthening National Policy for Women 2016, which aims at recognizing women’s reproductive rights by shifting focus towards male sterilization.

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 Presented in Session 1. Fertility, Family Planning, Sexual Behavior, & Reproductive Health 1