Determinants of Modern Contraceptive Use and Unmet Need for Family Planning among the Urban Poor

Abstract

This study aims to examine modern contraceptive use and unmet need of family planning of urban poor populations in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh as a part of IPE Global Project PAHAL (Partnerships for Affordable Healthcare Access and Longevity). Findings from the study reflect that the unmet need of family planning among the married women in the selected states was more than 15%. Women having three children reported the highest use of modern contraceptive methods and the lowest was found among the women having no child. Use of modern contraception was low among the women who were the head of the households. Working women, women belonging to richest wealth quintile, women whose husbands reported to be working and women from male headed households were less likely to have unmet need for family planning. The findings of the present study indicate a remarkably low prevalence of modern contraceptive use indicating considerable high unmet need. This can be a concern and special emphasis of the policy makers should be on this since it is well researched that modern contraceptive use and addressing unmet need are of overriding importance in reducing pregnancy related morbidity, preventing unintended pregnancies that lead to abortion and will gradually improve reproductive well-being among women.