A Study On The Extent And Reasons Of Unmet Need for Family Planning Among Women Of Reproductive Age Group In Rural Area Of Haryana

Research Question: To find out the extent and reasons of unmet need for Family Planing among rural women of reproductive age group and its association with some demogaphic factors. Objectives: (a) To estimate the magnitude of unmet need for family planing among women of reproductive age group. (b) To find out the association of socio-demographic factors with the unmet need for family planning and contraceptive users. (c) To explore common reasons for unmet need for family planning. Study Design: Community based cross-sectional study. Setting: Primary Health Training Centre (PHTC), Agroha (Hisar). Participants: Four hundred and eighty three willing women of reproductive age group. Materials and Methods: The primary tool in this study was predesigned and pretested questionnaire for recording of individual informations. Statistical analysis: Proportions & Univariate analysis (Chi Square test). Results : The extent of unmet need for family planning was 41.61%, of which 25.46% were limiters and 16.15% were spacers. Only 45.55% women were contraceptive users. Contraceptive use rate increased significantly X2(4, N = 483) = 11.00, p = .026 with the advancement of age. Limiters increased significantly X2(4, N = 201) = 15.67, p = .003 with advancement of age with proportionate decrease of spacers. Women’s education exert a powerful influence on unmet need X2(4, N = 483) = 14.56, p = .005. With increasing level of literacy, significant X2 (3, N = 201) = 28.59, p = <.001 increase in the prevalence of spacers with reciprocal decrease in the limiters were noticed. Neither the type of family nor the number of living children was significantly associated with the unmet need for family planning. However the prevalence of spacers had significantly decreased and limiters increased with increase in numbers of living children. The major reasons for unmet need were opposition from husband & family members (34.83%) and lack of information regarding the different methods of family planning (29.35%). Conclusions: Prevalence of unmet need was higher in more fertile age group (i.e.<30 years), therefore family planning program should focus more on this age group along with targetting illiterate people in rural areas.