title: Family planning and unmet need among Iraqi Kurds.
abstract: This study in Dohuk district of Kurdistan region, northern Iraq, in 2003 estimated the prevalence of contraceptive use and unmet need, and investigated associated knowledge, attitudes and practices. With multi-stage sampling, 800 married women aged 15-49 years were interviewed. Current prevalence of contraceptive use (any method) among 668 non-pregnant women was 60.6%: use of modern methods was 26.5% and traditional methods was 34.1%. Among all respondents, current unmet need for any contraception was 29.3% (most commonly among women of low socioeconomic status) and that for modern (effective) contraception was 28.5% (most commonly among women of high socioeconomic status). A comprehensive and decentralized family planning programme needs to be implemented in the region.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Dohuk, Dohuk, Iraq. saadagha13@yahoo.com
authors.forename: S Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Agha
authors.forename: B O
authors.initials: BO
authors.lastname: Rasheed
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D001723:Birth Rate / Q000208:ethnology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003267:Contraception / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005191:Family Characteristics; D016656:Family Planning Policy; D005193:Family Planning Services / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007493:Iraq; D007514:Islam / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011275:Pregnancy, Unwanted / Q000208:ethnology; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014930:Women / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*