Unmet Need: Is it the right indicator for FP programming with Youth in Ouagadougou partnership countries?

The measurement approaches of contraceptive need, including no need, unmet need, and met need, have been questioned as the most appropriate indicators for family planning programming among this age group. This study aimed to investigate the current measurement approaches and their applicability among youth in Ouagadougou partnership countries. Data from Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote D'Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger, and Senegal were analyzed. The sample size for each country ranged from 3,661 to 6,648 youth aged 15 to 24. The outcome variable of interest was contraceptive need, categorized as unmet need, met need, and no need. Explanatory variables included marital status, respondent age, education, wealth, parity, and residence. Bivariate analysis revealed that marital status and age had a significant effect on contraceptive need. In general, unmarried youth had higher rates of no need, while married youth had higher rates of unmet need. The results also showed that age influenced contraceptive need, with younger youth (15-19 years old) having higher rates of no need compared to older youth (20-24 years old). Multivariate logistic regression models were used to further investigate the relationship between marital status, age, and contraceptive need. Model I compared no need to some need (unmet need + met need), while Model II compared unmet need to met need, excluding respondents with no need. The results of Model I showed that unmarried youth were more likely to have no need compared to some need, while married youth were more likely to have some need. Model II results showed that unmarried youth were less likely to have unmet need compared to met need. The findings of this study suggest that the current measurement approaches of contraceptive need may not be the most appropriate indicators for family planning programming among youth in Ouagadougou partnership countries. The results highlight the importance of considering marital status and age when assessing contraceptive need among youth. The study's findings have implications for the development of more effective family planning programs that address the unique needs of youth in these countries. The Ouagadougou partnership countries, which include Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote D'Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger, and Senegal, have made significant progress in improving access to family planning services. However, the needs of youth in these countries remain a critical concern. The study's results emphasize the need for more targeted and effective family planning programs that address the unique needs of youth, particularly unmarried youth who are more likely to have no need for contraception. The study's findings also highlight the importance of considering the role of education, wealth, parity, and residence in shaping contraceptive need among youth. The results suggest that family planning programs should take into account the diverse needs of youth across different socioeconomic and demographic groups. By doing so, programs can be more effective in reducing unmet need and improving access to family planning services among youth in Ouagadougou partnership countries.