Insights into Unmet Need in Kenya and Senegal

This study aims to establish the relative importance of lack of access and attitudinal resistance towards use of family planning in accounting for unmet need among different population strata in Kenya and Senegal. Using 10 DHS data from the two countries, the main analysis extends and adapt the approach used in an investigation of progress in family planning need, access and attitude in Africa (Cleland, Ndugwa et al. 2011). Preliminary results from the most surveys show that in Kenya lack of access is a minor problem and that unmet need stems largely from abandonment of hormonal methods; the central problem is health concerns and side effects. In Senegal, both unfavourable attitudes and lack of access are barriers to use; over 60% of those with unmet need have an unfavourable attitude and one-third have no access to methods. Infrequent sex is deployed as an alternative contraception. Trends in access, attitude and reasons for non-use will be assessed.