Magnitude and Associated Factors of Unmet Need for Contraceptive Methods among Currently Married Women in West Belessa District, North Western Ethiopia

The objective of the study was to examine the underlying factors of unmet need for contraception among currently married women in West Belessa district. A community based cross sectional study was made. A multistage sampling procedure was carried out to interview 662 women in the study area. The study is designed in such a way that the various demographic, socioeconomic and family planning variables have effects on unmet need for contraception. The results indicated that 39.5 percent of women have an unmet need for contraception. The result of logistic regression suggests that, among the variables, age of women, number of living children, ever use of contraceptive methods, and discussion of women with health extension workers about family planning methods are found to be significantly affecting women unmet need for contraception. It is, therefore, recommended that raising the status of women through education, discussion with health extension workers about family planning and efficient counseling about contraception may help to reduce this high unmet need.