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Title: Understanding Family Planning Indicators Amongst Unmarried Women: Theory and Measurement
Citation Type: Conference Paper
Publication Year: 2017
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Abstract: Reporting of family planning indicators for unmarried women is a relatively new area; consensus on how to calculate and present them has not yet been reached. There is a great diversity in exposure to risk of pregnancy (i.e. sexual activity) amongst unmarried women. We present the definition and calculation of two sets of family planning indicators: those amongst all unmarried, versus sexually active unmarried women. Micro datasets for 216 DHSs demonstrate the impact of the two definitions on numerators, denominators and overall percent. Contraceptive prevalence and unmet need are generally lower as a percentage, though the absolute number of women is greater, when reported for all unmarried women compared to sexually active unmarried. We demonstrate that there is a conceptual issue with unmet need amongst unmarried sexually active women; pregnant/postpartum women whose last-pregnancy/birth was unintended are excluded if they are not currently sexually active, which is inconsistent with the married women approach. They are included when unmet need is calculated for all unmarried. The difference in demand satisfied between all unmarried (52.1%) and sexually active unmarried (48.0%) is not substantial. Clear definitions of family planning indicators are crucial. We recommend reporting for all-unmarried women.
Url: https://iussp.confex.com/iussp/ipc2017/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/7363
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Authors: Kantorova, Vladimira; Dasgupta, Aisha, N.Z.; Ueffing, Philipp
Conference Name: IUSSP International Population Conference 2017
Publisher Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Data Collections: IPUMS Global Health - DHS
Topics: Family and Marriage, Fertility and Mortality, Gender
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