A study to estimate the prevalence of “unmet need for contraception” in the rural areas: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Unmet need is especially high among groups such as adolescents, migrant, urban slum dwellers, refugees, women in the postpartum period Unmet need can be a powerful concept for family planning. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of “unmet need for contraception and to identify the reasons for unmet need of contraception in the rural areas.

Methods: A Descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in rural area of Venkatachalam mandal of Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh, India for a period of one year. The study population include all married women between 15-49 years residing in Venkatachalam mandal Nellore district. The questionnaire includes socio demographic characteristics of the study subjects, their choices for contraception, reasons for not using contraception and reasons for not opting for sterilization.

Results: In the present study, out of 450 study subjects, majority of the women (83.6%) belonged to the age group of 21-40 years of age which is the most crucial in the reproductive span. Among the study subjects (n=334), the unmet need for spacing is 10% (34). According to the study subjects (n=333), unmet need for limiting is 7. 8% and one woman chose other methods because of health problems.

Conclusions: The majority of women belonged to the reproductive age group of 21–40 years. Despite this, a notable proportion had an unmet need for family planning, with 10% for spacing and 7.8% for limiting. This indicates gaps in contraceptive awareness, accessibility, or acceptance. Strengthening family planning counseling and services is essential to reduce unmet needs.