Levels, Trends, and Determinants of Teenage Childbearing in India:

Adolescent childbearing is a phenomenon that has significant ramification at personal, societal, and global levels. Present research attempts to explore whether the utilization of Reproductive and Child Health Care Services differs among adolescent and older mother after controlling the potential background socio-economic and demographic characteristics. The study utilizes data from three rounds of National Family Health Survey (NFHS) to understand the level, trend and determinants of teenage childbearing and utilization of basic Reproductive and Child Health Services (RCH) in India. The Reproductive and Child Health Services that are examined in present study includes antenatal care, safe delivery, and child immunization. Results show that prevalence of teenage childbearing in India has remained almost stagnant over the past 13 years. The analysis shows that after controlling the potential socioeconomic and demographic factors, maternal age appeared to have the significant influence on the use of maternal and child health care services. Adolescents are less likely to use any health care services than the older women.