Factors Affecting Demand for Family Planning: Formative Research in Malawi

The study aimed to understand the factors affecting demand for family planning among adult women and adolescent girls and young women in Balaka and Machinga districts. The brief highlights the key findings on demand-side factors, including family planning knowledge, community members' familiarity with contraceptive methods, and places to access family planning services. Despite high levels of awareness, the study identifies knowledge-related barriers, such as misconceptions about modern contraceptive methods and side effects, and inconsistent knowledge on timing of postpartum family planning initiation. The brief also explores family size and child spacing preferences, with having four children considered ideal by more than half of the respondents.