Spatial Distribution and Sociodemographic Patterns of Unmet Need for Family Planning Among Rural Women in Nigeria

Unmet need for family planning remains an important reproductive health challenge in Nigeria, particularly among women living in rural communities. Understanding its spatial distribution and associated factors is essential for developing targeted family planning interventions. This study assessed the spatial distribution and factors associated with unmet need for family planning among women of reproductive age in rural Nigeria. Data were drawn from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey and included 13,444 rural women aged 15–49 years with complete information on unmet need. Survey weights, clustering and stratification were incorporated into the analysis. Spatial distribution was assessed across the six geopolitical zones and 37 states plus the Federal Capital Territory using weighted prevalence estimates. Chi square tests and survey-weighted logistic regression were used to examine demographic, socioeconomic, cultural, health-service, family planning information and women’s autonomy factors associated with unmet need. The weighted prevalence of unmet need was 25.3%. Prevalence varied from 22.2% in the North West to 30.0% in the South South and from 11.5% in Lagos to 40.3% in Enugu at state level. Women with more than four children were more likely to have unmet need than those with one or two children (AOR=1.98, 95% CI: 1.71–2.31, p<0.001), while women with higher education were less likely to have unmet need than those with no education (AOR=0.73, 95% CI: 0.56–0.95, p<0.05). Women whose husbands were employed had lower odds of unmet need (AOR=0.55, 95% CI: 0.46–0.65, p<0.001), whereas Yoruba women had higher odds than Hausa women (AOR=1.72, 95% CI: 1.42–2.08, p<0.001). Good access to health services was associated with higher odds of unmet need (AOR=1.13, 95% CI: 1.04–1.24, p<0.05), while exposure to family planning information and women’s household and reproductive health decision-making autonomy were not significant after adjustment. Regional differences remained significant, with women in the South South having higher odds of unmet need than those in the North West (AOR=2.06, 95% CI: 1.67–2.54, p<0.001). The study demonstrates substantial spatial, demographic, socioeconomic and cultural differences in unmet need for family planning among rural women in Nigeria. Targeted and context-specific family planning interventions are needed, particularly in high-burden regions and among women with higher parity and limited educational opportunities.