A Study on Unmet need for Family Planning among Mothers having under five children attending Routine Immunization Clinic and Paediatric Out Patient Department of NRS Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata

Abstract

Introduction

Addressing unmet needs in pregnancy is crucial for reducing unintended births, unsafe abortions, and maternal deaths, and for improving maternal and child health. Understanding the extent and addressing the reasons behind it is essential for improving maternal and child health, reducing unintended pregnancies, and supporting women's reproductive rights

Objective

The present study was undertaken to estimate the extent of unmet needs among reproductive age group mothers with under five children and the reasons for the same.

Materials and methods

A descriptive, observational, hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted among 258 consecutive mothers in reproductive age group having less than five years old children, attending the  Paediatrics OPD and Routine immunization Clinic of NRS Medical College and Hospital, between October and November 2022. A predesigned semi structured interview schedule was used to collect data. Collected data were entered into Microsoft Excel and analysed using SPSS (Version 20).

Results

Among socio-demographic characteristics, more than one-third (11.6%) of the study population had unmet need for family planning. Unmet needs were more common in the age group of 15-19 years (24%), had children in the 49- 56-month aged children (23.1%), from rural areas (12.7%), lived in joint families (13.2%), belonged to Hindu religion (11.7%), belonged to the scheduled tribe (25%), were educated above HS levels (14.7%), in service (14.3%), belonged to SES (Class IV) and had no autonomy (13.5%).

Among obstetric characteristics patients with age at marriage between 26-30 years (37.5%), age at first pregnancy of 26-30 years (23.1%), duration of marriage < 2 years (15.6%), parity of the mother ≥ 4 (23.1%) and having only female child (23.1%) were more likely to have unmet needs of pregnancy.

Overall, the most common reason for unmet needs of contraception were distance from local centre (11.6%). Among client related reasons the most common cause was fear of side effects (10.5%) and among health facility related reasons, distance from local centre (11.6%) and among opposition. The most common source of opposition towards contraceptive use was from family members other than partner (8.1%).

Conclusion

Unmet need for family planning was seen in 11.6% of the study population. The significant reasons for the unmet needs were Hindu religion, age at marriage between 26-30 years, age at first pregnancy of 26-30 years and having only female child. Overall, the most common reason for unmet needs of contraception were distance from local centre.