Frequency and Factors of Unmet Need for Family Planning in a Rural Setting of Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study
Abstract
Objective: To determine the frequency of unmet need for family planning and its risk factors among married women of reproductive age.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in a rural community of Mustafabad, Pakistan, from August 2023 to August 2024, enrolling married women aged 18-49. The unmet need for family planning was defined as the proportion of married women who want to delay or avoid pregnancy but are not using contraception. The study assessed various factors, including age, religion, education, occupation, number of children, knowledge of family planning methods, challenges in accessing services, and barriers to contraceptive use.
Results: Out of 209 married women, unmet need for family planning was reported by 128 (61.2%) women. Younger women aged 18–25 and 26–35 had significantly higher odds compared to those over 35 (aOR 9.04; 95% CI: 2.77–29.55; p-value <0.001 and aOR 3.42; 95% CI: 1.30–8.86; p-value 0.011, respectively). Employed women had 77% lower odds of unmet need (aOR 0.23; 95% CI: 0.07–0.68; p-value 0.008). Women who reported easy availability of family planning services had 79% lower odds of unmet need (aOR 0.21; 95% CI: 0.06–0.67; p-value 0.017), while women facing difficulty in accessing services had 30 times higher odds of unmet need (aOR 30.28;
95% CI: 11.77–77.92; p-value <0.001).
Conclusion: The study highlights that approximately three-fifths of women have an unmet need for family planning, particularly among younger age groups, unemployed women, poor availability and those facing difficulties accessing services.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Fatima Tariq, Sana Sarfraz, Areeba Mehreen, Mohi Ud Din, Areej Nisar, Humayun Suqrat Hasan Imam
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