Determinants of Unmet Need for Family Planning Among Women in Fertility Age (15-49 Years) In the West Mamprusi District, Northern Ghana

Abstract

This study, thus, explored the determinants of unmet need for family planning among women of fertility age in the West Mamprusi District. This cross-sectional quantitative study used a multistage sampling technique to select the participants. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data from 360 women between the ages of 15-49 years from 20 communities, and SPSS version 22 was used for data analysis. This study found that the total unmet need for family planning was 63.6%. The study discovered that urban residence, basic education and parity were associated with lower odds of unmet need for FP among reproductive-age in the West Mamprusi District. Additionally, those who had 1-3 children, perceived family planning was expensive or ever paid for family planning, lived in households size of fewer than five members and women who acquired their FP information from radio/TV, health workers or community health volunteers were associated with lower odds of unmet need for family planning. On the other hand, women who reported a lack of autonomy and those who perceived religious disapproval of family planning were more likely to have an unmet need for family planning than those who had autonomy and perceived religious approval. However, this study found no statistically significant relationship between education beyond basic level or household size of 5-7 and unmet need for family planning among women of fertility age in the West Mamprusi District. The study recommends that the Ghana Health Service advocate for the addition of family planning to the national health insurance package; partner with the civil society groups to sensitise religious bodies on family planning and advocate for women’s autonomy in their contraceptive choices; and use radio/TV, health workers and community health workers to educate women on family planning.