Differentials in unmet need for modern contraceptives among currently married women in Nigeria: analysis of Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey, 2013

Of the many causes of high fertility, unmet needs for family planning methods remain at forefront. In Nigeria, current contraceptive prevalence rate is approximately 10% and about one in every five women have unmet need for contraception. This study will examine socio economic and demographic characteristics of currently married women and explore how it contributes to differentials in unmet need across the regions of the country. A cross-sectional secondary data of the NDHS, 2013 was used in the study. Data of women who are currently married was extracted for the study. Data was analysed at both univariate and bivariate levels using STATA 14. Within age groups, the analysis showed women aged 25-29 years had the highest unmet need for modern contraception while unmet need to space and to limit was found highest among women who had their first birth before age 24. Findings showed different background factors of women such as level of education, religion, residence, household wealth, age at first and CEB significantly contribute to differentials in unmet need for modern contraception either to limit or to space births. The study hereby concludes by advocating the integration of family planning services into communities to increase accessibility to and availability of modern contraceptives.Keywords: Unmet need, Family Planning, Fertility, Differentials, Modern Contraceptive