Abstract

In Malawi, total fertility rate (TFR) has remained high at 6.0 children per woman. Use of modern contraceptive methods is lower at 42 percent than the current demand at 72 percent. This has resulted in high unmet contraception need, currently at 26 percent (NSO and ICF Macro 2011). The available evidence suggests that there are barriers to contraceptive use at both community and health service delivery level. This study was done in Mzimba District in the rural communities of Traditional Authority (TA) Mzukuzuku, and Mzimba District headquarters. The aim of the study was to understand the context of unmet family planning (FP) need among currently married women within the age group 15-49 years. Specifically the study sought to: establish the level of unmet FP need in Mzimba, identify socio-cultural factors that influence unmet FP need, examine health system factors influencing unmet FP need and explore community perceptions regarding use of modern contraceptive methods. This cross-sectional study employed both qualitative and quantitative methods which included a survey of currently married women; focus group discussions with users and non-users of modern contraceptive methods; and married men separately. In-depth interviews with key informants and clients exiting FP facilities were done. The findings of this study suggest that a combination of factors mitigate against use of modern contraceptive methods. Prominent among these are gender based power imbalances, social influences and health system barriers.

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School	: School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Issued Date	: 2015

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