Despite the urgency to eliminate unmet need for family planning in Pakistan little is known about its determinants. We conducted a study to examine factors associated with unmet need for family planning in squatter settlements in Karachi. We identified 387 women who claimed to want no more children, comparing the characteristics of two groups, those not using contraception, i.e. with unmet need, and those using contraceptives. Factors found to be protective against unmet need include women's perception that their mother-in-law's share their fertility goals (OR=0.42;95%CI:0.25-0.71), having at least two live male children (OR=0.33;95%CI:0.19-0.57), modern thinking, as evidenced by approval of provision of FP information on broadcast media (OR=0.43;95%CI:0.24-0.75) and economic independence (OR=0.45;95%CI:0.24-0.84). Spousal communication(OR=0.56;95%CI:0.29-1.09) and having more than four children (OR=0.60;95%CI:0.36-0.99) are marginally protective against unmet need. Programs to reduce unmet need should target mother-in-laws as important decision makers in adopting family planning in the social context of Pakistan and perhaps many other countries, address female economic independence and encourage family planning-related communication between couples. Changes that are necessary at societal level include increasing appreciation for daughters and changing perceptions that larger family sizes are preferable.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to: 1.List the factors that contribute to unmet need for family planning in Pakistan. 2.Recognize the role played by a woman's mother-in-law in her fertility decision making. 3.Identify the importance of factors not traditionally associated with unmet need for family planning
Keywords: Family Planning, Pakistan
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.