Spatiotemporal Patterns of Unmet Need for Family Planning in Ghana: 200–-2014

Samuel Nyarko , University of Texas at San Antonio
Corey S. Sparks, University of Texas at San Antonio

Despite the heavy investments in family planning over the last decade in Ghana, the sector has still achieved little success. This study describes the spatiotemporal patterns in unmet need for family planning in Ghana, 2003-2014 and estimates the determinants of these patterns. Data from the 2003, 2008 and 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Surveys were used. Spatial statistical techniques and multilevel logistic regression models were used. There are considerable regional disparities in unmet need which exhibit distinct patterns in the country. These show negative and positive changes in the unmet need rate for the period. At the regional level, unmet need for family planning is determined by age, marital status, ethnicity, wealth status, work status, parity and survey year. Concisely, the unmet need patterns in Ghana are inconsistent and unsustainable and are determined by various sociodemographic factors. Specially-tailored family planning policies are needed to improve family planning indicators in Ghana.

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 Presented in Session 226. Trends, Determinants, Consequences, and Measurement of Unmet Need