Publication:

Prevalence and factors associated with unmet need for family planning among married women of reproductive age in Devchuli municipality, Nepal

Background Family planning (FP) is significant in enhancing maternal health, promoting gender equality, and decreasing poverty. Globally, 164 million women still have an unmet need for FP. It was approximately 21% in 2021 in Nepal. This leads to unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and increased maternal mortality. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with unmet need of FP in Devchuli municipality, Nepal.

Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from July to September 2024. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews of the 189 married women of reproductive age using the structured questionnaire. Data was analysed by SPSS.

Results 47.6% of the respondents did not use any FP methods during the survey. 53% wanted a permanent FP method to limit, and 47% wanted to space the child’s birth by using injectables, pills, and long-acting contraceptives. The highest unmet need was found among the women belonging to Dalit (59%), followed by Janajati (31%), Brahaman/Chhetri, and others (10%). It was highest among the illiterate (72%, p<0.05, CI: 95%). 43.25% women did not use contraceptives due to the fear of the side effects (p<0.05, CI:95%), followed by the opposition by husband (27.46%, p<0.05, CI:95%), sex composition of child (21.49%), and sex composition of the service providers (7.8%).

Conclusions The prevalence of unmet need for FP was highest among the Dalit and illiterate women. The side effects of the contraceptives and the obstruction by their husbands were statistically significant to the unmet need for FP.