Contraceptive Use and Unmet Need for Family Planning among Married Women in Rural India: A Community-based cross-sectional study

Background: Family planning is a key component of reproductive health and plays a vital role in improving maternal and child health outcomes. Despite increased awareness and availability of contraceptive methods, many rural populations continue to experience an unmet need for family planning due to socioeconomic, cultural, and educational barriers. Objective: To assess the prevalence of contraceptive use and determine the unmet need for family planning among the rural population. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among married women of reproductive age (15–49 years) residing in rural areas. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of contraceptive methods, current contraceptive use, and reasons for non-use. Descriptive statistics and percentages were used for analysis. Results: A total of 200 participants were included in the study. Among them, 58% were currently using some form of contraception, while 42% were non-users. The most commonly used method was female sterilisation (30%), followed by condoms (12%), oral contraceptive pills (8%), and intrauterine contraceptive devices (8%). The overall unmet need for family planning was 24%. Major reasons for unmet need included lack of awareness, fear of side effects, cultural beliefs, and limited access to services. Conclusion: Although awareness about contraception is increasing, a considerable proportion of rural women still have an unmet need for family planning. Strengthening community education, improving accessibility of services, and involving male partners could help reduce unmet need and improve reproductive health outcomes.