Familial correlates of unmet need for contraception among currently married women: a comparative study of three Sub-Saharan African Countries
population health
31
Issue: 1
(12 - 2017)
Using data from the 2010 Malawi, 2013-14 Togo and 2011 Uganda DHS, the study explored the
relationship between unmet need for contraception (unmet need) and family factors. The analysis was
based on data for 15,528 currently married women aged 15-49 in Malawi, 6,282 in Togo and 5,417 in
Uganda. Multinomial regression models were used to analyse the data. Results show that Malawian and
Togolese women in female headed households have a higher risk (p<0.001) of having unmet need for
spacing over no unmet need. Spousal agreement on fertility desire significantly reduced unmet need
among Malawian women. Therefore family factors to some extent do influence unmet need in these
countries. The findings indicate the importance of coming up with strategies which will encourage
spousal communication in order to aid males and females to be equal partners in family planning.
Keywords: currently married women, Malawi, Togo, Uganda, unmet need for contraception.
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