Developing Countries Show Sizable Cross-National Variations in Unmet Need, Demand for Contraception

Abstract

This article summarizes a recent report on demand for contraception among 27 developing countries during 1990-94. Unmet need for contraceptive services is based on data from Demographic and Health Surveys. Unmet demand is determined by whether women were pregnant or amenorrheic whether women reported a mistimed or unwanted pregnancy or whether nonpregnant fecund women wished to postpone or avoid further childbearing. Researchers found that unmet need was higher in sub-Saharan African countries (29%) than other countries (19%). The reasons for contraceptive use varied by region. Demand for contraception in sub-Saharan Africa was mainly for limiting childbearing rather than ending childbearing. The range in demand for contraception was from 23% of currently married women in Niger to 81% in Peru. At least 62% of unmet demand for contraception was met in the sample countries with the exception of sub-Saharan countries and Pakistan. Unmet need for contraception varied from 14% or lower in Colombia to 36% or higher in Kenya Malawi or Rwanda. Asian unmet need varied widely. The lowest levels of unmet need were in Latin America and the Caribbean. Unmet need for spacing of 70% or more was found in 10 of the 14 sub-Saharan African countries (Burkina Faso Cameroon Malawi Namibia Niger Nigeria Senegal Sudan Tanzania and Zambia). Variation in unmet need for spacing varied by womens age. In most countries women aged younger than 30 years had greater need for contraception for spacing. Unmet need for limiting rose with number of children particularly after four children. Unmet need was found to be higher among rural women in countries other than sub-Saharan African ones and Pakistan. Unmet need tended to decline with increased levels of education among women in countries other than sub-Saharan African ones. About 37% of unmet need was due to women being pregnant or amenorrheic. The proportion with unmet need who were not sexually active ranged from 4% in Rwanda to 38% in Burkina Faso. Levels of unmet need among the never-married and the formerly married were also estimated.