EPIDEMIOLOGICAL CORRELATES OF UNMET NEED FOR FAMILY PLANNING AMONG ELIGIBLE COUPLES-A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Unmet need reflects the extent of discrepancy between women’s fertility intensions and observed contraception usage behavior. This study was done to assess the epidemiological correlates of unmet need for family planning. Prevalence of unmet need for family planning was 8.3% of which 2.6% were limiters and 5.7% were spacers. With the advancement of age, prevalence of unmet need decreased significantly. The unmet need decreases with increase in number of living children and male children in family. The common reasons for unmet need were lack of knowledge, fertility related reasons, opposition to use, fear of side effects. The spacing methods needs to be given priority in women in younger age groups & with no or one living child and limiting methods needs to be given priority amongst women beyond age 25, having  at least two children or having daughters only. Unmet need can be reduced by improved IEC activities.