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. 2020 Apr 29;11(1):1084.
doi: 10.4081/jphia.2020.1084.

Determinants of unmet need for family planning among married women in Zambia

James N Mulenga  1 , Bupe B Bwalya  2 , Mulenga C Mulenga  1 , Kakoma Mumba  3
Affiliations

Determinants of unmet need for family planning among married women in Zambia

James N Mulenga et al. J Public Health Afr. .

Abstract

Unmet need for family planning remains a major family planning problem in most countries around the world. It presents serious consequences for the women, their families and society at large. This study was undertaken to establish the factors that affect total unmet needs for family planning and its components in Zambia. This study used the 2013/14 Zambia Demographic Health Survey (ZDHS) dataset focusing on currently married women aged 15 to 49. Data analysis took the form of descriptive, binary logistic and multinomial logistic regressions. The study shows that, although there has been a substantial increase in the use of contraceptives, combined unmet need for family planning has only decreased slightly over time, and currently stand at 21%, made up of 14% limiters and 7% spacers. Various factors were identified as determinants of unmet need for spacing, limiting or total unmet need for family planning. These included age, partner's level of education, contraceptive side effects, husband opposition to contraceptives and number of living children. To enhance utilization, policy should not be blind to the respective factors that influence combined unmet needs for spacing and limiting.

Keywords: Unmet need; Zambia; family planning; limiting; spacing; women.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: The authors declare no potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Trends in modern contraceptive method use and total unmet need among married women aged 15 to 49 in Zambia: 1992 to 2014.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Unmet need for family planning among married women aged 15 – 49 in Zambia.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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