Trends and Determinants of Unmet Need for Family Planning in Cameroon: The Role of Socio-Cultural Context

Abstract

This study attempts to investigate and highlight the recent trends of unmet need for family planning in Cameroon. Differences for having an unmet need by place of residence, age, marital status, education, and living standards are also assessed. It is based on Cameroon Demography and Health Surveys (CDHS) which were conducted in 1991, 1998, 2004, and 2011. It aims at declaring the women's reasons for having an unmet need and identifying the socio-economic and cultural determinants of unmet need. A high proportion of women with unmet need are those who have experienced unwanted pregnancies. Health concerns about contraceptives and social disapprovals are other important reasons. The study identifies a significant relation among the unmet need and residence, age, work status, education, living standards, knowledge about contraceptives, and children ever born. This paper finally outlines the scope for further research, offering some perspectives on the nature and socio-cultural dimensions of unmet need.