Determinants of Unmet Need for Contraception among Currently Married Women in Oromia National Regional State; Evidence from Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey Data

Context Sub Saharan African countries lag behind the remaining of world in contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR). The level of unmet need for contraception was also highest for the region. Being part of the region, Ethiopia is not an exception to this situation Methods This study was carried out using quantitative data obtained from the 2005 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS). To analyze the data both bivariate and multivariate techniques of data analysis were applied. Chi square test was employed to see association between each predictive and outcome variable. Logistic regression was also fit to identify determinants of unmet need for contraception using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS Ver.16). Results The level of unmet need for contraception in the study area (i. e.41.3 %) is greater than the national average (34 %). The logistic regression model depicts, among other variables, number of living children, spousal communication, visit of a health facility, discussion with health extension workers, age and ethnicity are determinants of unmet need for family planning. Conclusion Number of living children that women have increases the likelihood of unmet need among women. Conversely, discussion with health extension workers and husbands, increasing age of women, and womens visit of health facility where family planning is integrated in to Maternal and Child Health (MCH) reduce the chance of having unmet need for contraception among women. Finally, the study recommends that women in their lower reproductive age should be given top priority. Moreover, Maternal and Child Health (MCH) program should be expanded to areas where it is absent and family planning programmers should exert due effort to encourage males to discuss with their wives about family planning and take part in contraceptive use.