The DHS Program

Levels and Trends of Contraceptive Prevalence and Estimate of Unmet Need for Family Planning in Rwanda (English) 

Document Type

Further Analysis

Publication Topic(s)

Family Planning

Country(s)

Rwanda

Survey

Rwanda Interim DHS, 2007-08

Language

English

Recommended Citation

Ayad, Mohamed and Rathavuth Hong. 2009. Levels and Trends in Contraceptive Prevalence and Estimate of Unmet Need for Family Planning in Rwanda: Further Analysis of the Rwanda Demographic and Health Surveys, 2000-2007/8. DHS Further Analysis Reports No. 67. Calverton, Maryland, USA: ICF Macro.

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Publication Date

September 2009

Publication ID

FA67

Abstract:

Rwanda is the most densely populated country in Africa and one of the fastest growing countries in the region. The family planning program is among the government's planned goals and strategies for reducing poverty, developing the country and improving the health of the Rwandan population. This study presents levels, trends, and differentials in the use of contraception and estimates the level of unmet need for family planning among women of reproductive age. The use of contraception has increased substantially from 2000 to 2007-08 among women currently in union in Rwanda. From 2005 to 2007-08, contraceptive prevalence increased almost threefold from 13% to 36%. This increase is predominantly a result of an increase in the use of modern contraceptive methods. Women who are of prime reproductive age, have higher parity, are better educated, and live in urban and more highly developed areas (Kigali), are more likely than other women to use a contraceptive method. In 2007-08, the level of unmet need for family planning among women currently in union dropped, likely due to an increase in the use of contraception, particularly for the purpose of limiting births. In addition, the components of unmet need have changed as more women currently need family planning for limiting births than for spacing than in 2000 and 2005.