| Abstract: | This article evaluates the needs and priorities of India in fertility regulation research. There are multivariate factors that affect the perceptions of people about fertility regulation in India. The socioeconomic status, level of education and religious beliefs have strong influences on their decision on the family size, spacing between children and also the sex of the children. Moreover, a large number of people are either quite ignorant of or cannot afford to avail with the technologies and services for controlling their fertility. These factors generally perpetuate high fertility, which strongly affect the infant and maternal mortality, and eventually the quality of life both for the present and the future generation. The International Conference on Population and Development Program of Action has provided India with an alternative to develop newer methods of fertility regulation so as to widen contraceptive choices. The objective of research in fertility regulation should ensure the fertility control of couples and ability to plan the number and spacing of children. Research in fertility regulation should be aimed at expanding contraceptive choices by improving the accessibility and acceptability of good quality contraceptive products and services. It would necessitate: improving the quality of care; increasing awareness about sexuality and fertility regulation; empowering women; and increasing male-female partnership in sharing responsibilities for family planning and parenthood. |
