Study of unmet need for family planning among women of reproductive age group attending immunization clinic in a medical college of Kolkata.

What are the extent and reasons of unmet need for Family Planning among urban mothers of reproductive age group and its association with some demographic and social factors? The objectives was to estimate the magnitude of unmet need for family planning among married women of reproductive age group. 2. To identify socio-demographic factors associated with unmet need for family planning and contraceptive users. 3. To explore common reasons for unmet need for family planning. Setting: Immunization Clinic and Post-Partum unit of Calcutta National Medical College Kolkata. Study design: Cross-sectional study. Sample size: 10% sample or all mothers attending the clinics for a period of I month were selected by systematic random sampling method. Study variables: Age Parity Literacy Lack of information Unsatisfactory services etc. Extent of unmet need for family planning is 41.67% of which 25.84% are limiters and 15.83% are spacers. Only 45.83% women are contraceptive users. Contraceptive rate increases with advancement of age and prevalence of unmet need is significantly higher in younger age group. With increase in literacy level tile prevalence of Spacers in the unmet need group has significantly increased and that of limiter decreased. The prevalence of spacers significantly decreases and limiter increases with increase in numbers of living children. The major reason for unmet need is opposition from husband/ family and community (32%). IEC activities are to be improved focusing on men as well as women associated with good quality easily accessible convenient methods for family planning. (authors)