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Contraceptive use and factors associated with unmet need for family planning among postpartum women admitted in a tertiary hospital

Jay Ian R. Argel, MD and Maria Julieta V. Germar, MD, FPOGS, FSGOP
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines-Manila

Background: Unmet need points to the gap between reproductive intentions and contraceptive behavior. This cross sectional study aims at determining the demographic, socioeconomic and other factors underlying the unmet need for contraception among postpartum women.

Method: A face-to-face interview was conducted to among postpartum women admitted in a tertiary hospital and logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the significant predictors of unmet need for family planning. Descriptive analysis on their contraceptive use was also determined.

Results: After controlling for other respondents’ characteristics, the results indicate that the total unmet need was associated with younger women, those who were in the age range 20-30 years old during their first pregnancy and religion is Roman Catholic. The most significant association was shown in those whose partners disapprove the use of family planning. Majority have heard of contraception but are not using any method. The major sources of contraceptives and contraceptive information on family planning are still the public health sector. Most have contraceptive plans and they prefer oral pills and implants.

Conclusion: Unmet need for family planning is associated with partner’s approval. With low family planning utilization among postpartum women, future programs on family planning should focus on these problems.

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