Differentials in Contraceptive Use and Method Choice in Vietnam

Data for this study were taken from the 1988 Demographic and Health Survey of Vietnam (VNDHS) which provided the first nationally representative data on contraceptive use in Vietnam. The VNDHS was based on a national sample designed to provide independent estimates for the two major regions of the country. The sample was limited to 3497 women exposed to the risk of conception. The second part of the analysis which examined the odds of choosing a modern method over a traditional method was limited to 2142 women who were current users. A stepwise logistic regression model was used to examine determinants of contraceptive practice. Some 60% of currently married nonpregnant Vietnamese women use a contraceptive method and 2/3 of these rely on a modern method generally the IUD. In comparison with wives 40 or older wives younger than 20 were 73% less likely to practice contraception. The odds of method use peaked among women ages 30-34 and 35-39 who were significantly (15% and 38% respectively) more likely to use contraception than the reference group. The odds of use were 45% lower among illiterate wives and 12% lower among those with primary education than among wives with secondary or higher education. The odds of method use among illiterate women were 34% lower than those among women with a secondary or higher education but husbands education was a stronger predictor of contraceptive use. Couples with daughters only were 27% less likely to use a method than were those with children of both sexes and they were also less likely to use a modern method. Couples with 4 or more children were 27% less likely to practice contraception than those with fewer than 3 children. Urban women were 56% more likely to use contraception than their rural counterparts. Northern Vietnamese were 37% more likely to use contraceptives than southern Vietnamese and they were also more likely to use modern methods.