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Prevalence and determinants of unmet family planning needs among rural women in Gandaki Province, Nepal
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Rajesh Karki *    , Mausam Adhikari , Roshani Poudel , Maheshor Kaphle |
| Central Department of Public Health, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, Nepal , karkirajesh2022@gmail.com |
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Abstract: (708 Views) |
Background: The unmet need for family planning remains a significant barrier to achieving reproductive health equity globally, including in Nepal. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of unmet need for family planning among rural women in Nepal.
Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 among married women of reproductive age in a rural municipality of Gandaki Province, Nepal. A total of 310 participants were recruited through consecutive sampling. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire from March 24 to April 8. Multivariate logistic regression analysis (p < 0.05) was performed to identify factors associated with unmet need. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 26.
Results: The mean age of respondents was 28.5 ± 5.8 years (range: 17–45), with a mean age at marriage of 21.1 ± 3.3 years (range: 14–34). Over 80% of participants demonstrated good knowledge of family planning, with health workers serving as the primary source of information (74.8%). The overall prevalence of unmet need for family planning was 18.1%, predominantly for spacing (16.5%) rather than limiting (1.6%). Adolescents aged 15–19 years exhibited a markedly higher unmet need (50%). Significant determinants of unmet need included ethnicity, education level, husband’s occupation, and number of living children.
Conclusion: Although the prevalence of unmet need in this rural area is lower than the national average, substantial disparities exist, particularly among adolescents. Targeted, youth-friendly interventions are essential to address these gaps. Sustained efforts to enhance access to family planning services across Nepal are critical to achieving national reproductive health goals. |
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| Keywords: Family planning, Nepal, Reproductive health, Rural women, Unmet need |
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Full-Text [PDF 506 kb]
(80 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Original Research |
Subject:
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Received: 2024/10/1 | Accepted: 2024/12/20 | Published: 2024/12/24
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