The Estimation of Contraception Rate: An Application of the Two-Sex Age-Dependent Simulation Model to Bangladeshi DHS Data

Abstract

It has been pointed out that desired family size and contraceptive prevalence are most important in considering proximate determinants of fertility. The former was much reported from many surveys, but the later was little reported. This study attempted to estimate the parameter in relation to contraceptive prevalence in Bangladesh, using the simulation model developed in the previous study. The parameters in the model were estimated from abridged life table and DHS (Demographic and Health Survey) in 1993. The parameter settings estimated form the empiricaldata were divided into two groups by the area of residence, i.e. rural and urban. Results showed that the simulation model developed in the previous study closely matched observed data in Bangladesh in rural and urban area. From the results of comparing the simulation-generated data with empirical data, it was shown that the model could estimate the unknown rate of contraception practice when married couple reached the desired family size.