Demand and unmet needs of contraception among sexually active in-union women in Nigeria: distribution, determinants, issues, barriers and program implication

Adeniyi Francis Fagbamigbe, University of Ibadan and North-West University, South Africa
Erhabor Idemudia, North-West University, Mafikeng Campus

Does the unmet need for contraceptives in Nigeria at 16% indicate a success story? This study assessed and compared prevalence of contraceptive demand and unmet needs and determined the distribution, determinants, barriers and issues surrounding contraceptive demands and unmet needs in Nigeria. Using a nationally representative data, total demand for contraception was 31.2%, consisting of unmet need for spacing (11.9%); 4.2% for limiting and met needs at 15.1%. Unmet need for family planning was higher among rural women (16.8% vs 14.9%). Younger women had higher odds of having unmet needs (OR=7.10; 95% CI: 5.18-9.73). Other factors influencing unmet needs include region, education, religion and economic status. Opposition by spouses, health concerns and poor knowledge barred demand for contraceptives. The low unmet need should not be mistaken for a good progress in family planning in Nigeria. The success of family planning in Nigeria is better measured using contraceptive prevalence rate.