Caspian Journal of Reproductive Medicine

en Prevalence and determinants of unmet family planning needs among rural women in Gandaki Province, Nepal Obstetrics and Gynecology Obstetrics and Gynecology پژوهشي Original Research <div style="text-align: justify;">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.</div> Family planning, Nepal, Reproductive health, Rural women, Unmet need 17 23 http://caspjrm.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-12-155-2&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Rajesh Karki karkirajesh2022@gmail.com 10031947532846002514 10031947532846002514 Yes Central Department of Public Health, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, Nepal Mausam Adhikari 10031947532846002515 10031947532846002515 No Roshani Poudel 10031947532846002516 10031947532846002516 No Maheshor Kaphle 10031947532846002517 10031947532846002517 No