Impact of religious faith & female literacy on fertility in a rural community of west Bengal

Abstract

<b>Background : </b> Role of different social factors on fertility control is evident from different studies. What is the impact of religious faith and female literacy on fertility?<br><b> Objectives : </b> To study the role of religious faith and female literacy on fertility regulation in a rural community of West Bengal.<br><b> Methods : </b> Cross Sectional Study at rural field practice area of Department of Community Medicine, NRS Medical College, Kolkata, based on interview of married women in reproductive age group. A total of 671 filled in schedules were analyzed by Epi info package.<br><b> Results : </b> Average number of pregnancies ever occurred among Muslim mothers (2.8) were higher in comparison with Hindu mothers (1.68). Regarding current fertility, live births in last 2 yrs was more among Muslim mothers (25.2%) as compared with their counterparts among Hindu community (12.4%). In both the cases differences were found to be statistically significant. Female literacy was found to have no impact on fertility as a whole, but while stratified, its positive role was evident among Hindu mothers but not among Muslim mothers.<br><b> Conclusions : </b> Factors, which have made differences in fertility between two religious groups, should be properly assessed and duly addressed for better fertility control in the community.