Title: Assessment of Unmet Need for Family Planning among Married Women in A Rural Area of Katihar District
Authors: Dr Soni Rani, Dr Arun Kumar Pandey
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v7i3.28
Abstract
Introduction: Unintended fertility fuels a rate of population growth that is outpacing the country’s effort to meet the social needs of its citizens and achieve national development goals. The quality of life of large population of humanity during the coming century and future size of global population depend on how quickly the world can satisfy the current unmet need for family planning.
Aims & Objectives (1) To assess the magnitude and composition of unmet need for family planning among married women. (2) To know the reason for unmet need and to develop strategies to address the unmet need for family planning.
Methodology: The present study was conducted in rural field practice area, Hazipur, of Katihar Medical College during January to June 2018. According to Annual health Survey 2011-12, the unmet need for family planning in rural area of Katihar was 48.6%. Therefore taking prevalence 48%, the sample size came to 433 married women aged between 15-49 years age group. Using systematic random sampling technique, every third married women included in the study. Data was collected using a questionnaire and analyzed by epi info 7 version of statistical software.
Results: in present study out of 433 married women, 38.57% were using contraceptives, 28.41% were non users of contraceptives, 25.87% were ANC and PNC, and 7.16% were infaecund. Prevalence of unmet need for family planning was 30.49%.More Muslim women had unmet need (95.45%) as compared to Hindu (3.79%). More number of married women with unmet need was illiterate (76.52%). The main reasons for unmet need were unaware of methods (67.42%), objection to use contraceptives (12.88%). 14.39% said that they came to know recently and 3.03% said about desire for more children by husband/family members.
Conclusion: The factors associated with unmet need for family planning in our study were poor literacy status of married women, unawareness about methods and desire of family members for more children.
Keywords: Unmet Need, family Planning, Married women.
