Predictors Of Unmet Needs Of Family Planning Among Women In Their Reproductive Ages Living With HIV In Sub-Saharan Africa: Analysis Of Demographic Health Survey

BackgroundUnmet needs for family planning (FP) among women of reproductive age living with HIV (WRLWH) increase the risk of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV, hindering efforts to control the epidemic. These unmet needs lead to unintended pregnancies among high-risk mothers, resulting in maternal health complications, and risk of MTCT of HIV. This study examines factors predicting unmet FP needs among WRLWH in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). MethodThis cross-sectional study used secondary data from the Demographic Health Survey (DHS) program, encompassing 14 SSA countries and including 9395 WRLWH. Data analysis, conducted with STATA version 18, involved three steps: computing unmet FP needs using descriptive statistics, assessing associations through Pearsons chi-square test, and performing multi-level regression analysis to identify predictors of unmet FP needs. Regression models were fitted, considering individual factors, FP exposure, and partner/community factors, with statistical significance set at p-value [≤] 0.05 at a 95% confidence interval. Both random effects and fixed effects were reported. ResultsThe findings revealed that 15.57% of the WRLWH had unmet FP needs. Older aged women with HIV had lower odds of unmet FP needs, particularly the 45-49 age group (aOR = 0.159, CI = 0.0913-0.277). Higher parity increased the odds, especially for those with four or more children (aOR = 8.081, CI = 5.113-12.77). Exposure to FP through media reduced the odds (aOR = 0.564, CI = 0.468-0.678). Female household heads had higher odds (aOR = 1.306, CI = 1.086-1.571) of unmet need of FP, while rural residents had lower odds (aOR = 0.696, CI = 0.560-0.866) compared to urban residents. ConclusionThe study highlights the necessity for tailored FP programs and targeted media-based education to reduce unmet needs among WLWH, enhance health outcomes, prevent MTCT of HIV, and achieve related SDGs among women in their reproductive age living in SSA.