Determining level and predictors of Family Planning Unmet Need in Mosul City, North of Iraq: a Cross-Sectional Study

Context Millions of women worldwide want to delay or stop their next birth. In spite of that they do not use any method of contraception or they use less effective methods. These women are said to have unmet needs for family planning. Aim The aim of the present study is to provide an estimate of the level of unmet need and determining predictors in Mosul City in the North of Iraq. Methods and participants A cross sectional survey was done among 1,786 currently married fecund women attending the immunization unit of the chosen primary health care centers. A standard questionnaire formula was used and filled by direct interview with the participants. Results According to the standard formulation the level of unmet need was 20.2%. While according to the expanded formulation 34.9% of women have unmet needs for contraception. Several factors were shown to have a significant impact on the level of unmet needs. These are maternal age at 30-39 years, urban residence, high maternal education, exposure to family planning programs and media, number of living children in the family and absence of a living boy. Conclusion The reported high level of unmet need can be used as a baseline data for further follow-up research. Effective family planning programs, better services delivered to the families, provision of modern contraceptives and counseling are mandatory.