Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40794749›Full record

ArticlePloS one2025

Does low fertility indicate better reproductive health status? Evidence from nationally representative survey in India.

Roni Sikdar, Dhananjay W Bansod

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Roni SikdarDepartment of Public Health & Mortality Studies, International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0001-6747-1275
Dhananjay W BansodDepartment of Public Health & Mortality Studies, International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5784-4656

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe global demographic landscape is experiencing a significant transformation of declining fertility rates, which has far-reaching implications for societal development and women's well-being. The study investigates the association between declining fertility rates and women's reproductive health in India, considering socioeconomic and demographic factors as well as regional variations.

methodsThe study uses data from the recent National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) round conducted during 2019-21. A composite index called the Reproductive Health Index (RHI) is constructed by equally weighing indicators such as antenatal care, anemia, and body mass index. To evaluate the robustness of this index, a sensitivity analysis is performed. Descriptive statistics and Poisson regression models are employed to explore the association between fertility and RHI among currently married women.

resultsThe findings show substantial differences in RHI scores across socio-economic, demographic groups, and geographical regions. The lowest RHI score of 4.09 is found in the Eastern region, whereas those in the Northern region exhibit the highest score of 4.42. The analysis further indicates a negative relationship between fertility and reproductive health. Women with four or more children exhibit an RHI score of 1.97 compared to 2.98 among those with one child. The Poisson regression analysis indicates that women with at least four children have lower RHI scores, even after adjusting for socio-economic and demographic factors. Women in wealthier quintiles and those with media exposure report significantly higher RHI score compared to those in the poorest wealth quintiles and no media exposure.

conclusionIn conclusion, this research highlights the critical need for targeted interventions to address regional and socio-economic inequities in healthcare access and reproductive health services. By exploring the intricate relationship between low fertility and reproductive health, this study contributes to the discourse on gender equality, reproductive rights, and sustainable societal development. The findings provide evidence to guide public health policies and programs designed to promote women's reproductive health.

Indexed as

FertilityReproductive HealthAdolescentAdultBirth RateFemaleHealth SurveysHumansIndiaMiddle AgedSocioeconomic FactorsYoung Adult

Identifiers

PMID40794749
PMCPMC12342277

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LicenceCC BY
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.