Characterizing Motivational Intensity of Need for Family Planning among Non-Users in Sub-Saharan Africa

Bernice Kuang, Futures Group
John Ross, Futures Group International
Elizabeth Leahy-Madsen, Futures Group

Certain subgroups of women are more interested in contraception and more motivated to adopt a family planning method than others. However, to date, a direct measure of motivational intensity for contraceptive use has not been introduced. This analysis, conducted under the USAID-funded Health Policy Project, explored indicators of motivational intensity. We used the most recent DHS surveys from 23 Sub-Saharan African countries to characterize subgroups of women who are not currently using any family planning method. All non-users were placed into eight groups based on yes/no characterizations of intention to use, unmet need, and ever use. Each group was measured according to socio-demographic profile and fertility behaviors and preferences to explore the patterns of motivation among non-users. More comprehensive knowledge of motivation will help to identify subgroups of women for whom access to family planning is most salient and uptake most likely, thereby helping to guide family planning operational policies.