Unmet Need for Family Planning after Internal Migration: Analysis of Ethiopia 2017-2018 PMA Survey Data.

Abstract

Internal migration's effect on family planning behavior depends upon migration circumstances. While many studies describe instability and displacement's effect on family planning access, fewer studies consider the positive association between internal migration and family planning behavior. Using Performance Monitoring for Action (PMA) survey data, we examine the relationship between internal migration and unmet need for family planning in Ethiopia from 2017-2018. We describe determinants of family planning behavior by migrant status and model migration's effect on unmet need for family planning using multilevel logistic regression. Internal migrants studied tend to be more educated and wealthier and have less unmet need than non-migrants, likely due to different fertility preferences and human capital. This contributes to existing research by illustrating how rural-urban migration in Ethiopia relates to family planning behaviour. Findings will be of interest to social scientists and policymakers evaluating family planning resource allocation to reduce unmet need in African contexts.