The Time Dynamics of Unmet Need: An Example from Morocco

This study examined unmet need in Morocco. Data were obtained from the 1992 and 1995 Demographic and Health Surveys among 3324 women aged 15-46 years in 1992 and from 1429 new respondents aged 15-17 years in 1995. Analysis is based on a subsample of 1682 women who were interviewed twice. Unmet need excludes the intentions of pregnant or amenorrheic women who desired more children or intended to resume use. During 1992-95 the number of women in need of contraception declined from 21% to 12%. The proportion of women using a contraceptive method increased from 46% to 56%. 84% of women in 1992 with unmet need for spacing gave birth in the following 3 years or were pregnant. 58% of women who had unmet need for limiting gave birth by 1995 or were currently pregnant. Only 33% of these births were reported as unwanted. 15% of the re-interviewed sample wanted no more children but were not using contraception. 25% of women who were using contraception in 1992 and wanted no more children gave birth by 1995; 46% reported the birth as unwanted. 29% of women with unmet need in 1992 had unmet need in 1995. 77% of women who were using a method in 1992 were using a method in 1995. Only 5% stopped using and moved into the unmet need group. 51% of women in the other nonuser group were still there in 1995. The authors expressed particular concern about the 5% of all married women (the total re-interview sample) who had unmet need in both years because the women contributed to 66% of unwanted fertility. Opposition to contraception for religious reasons or due to partners objections were the hardest to overcome.