THE TIME DYNAMICS OF UNMET NEED - AN EXAMPLE FROM MOROCCO

Context: Data on fertility and family planning among a sample of women interviewed at two points in time can show whether women initially in need of a method fulfill that need, and whether contraceptive use and fertility intentions are fulfilled over time. Methods: Longitudinal d ata on unmet need for contraception and on fertility were compiled fro m a panel survey of Moroccan women interviewed for both the 1992 and 1 995 Demographic and Health Surveys, Transitions into and out of catego ries of need (for limiting or spacing births) were examined, as well a s how well women were able to fulfill their fertility and contraceptiv e intentions in the three years between the surveys. Results: Unmet ne ed declined by about 43% over a three-year period among a sample of wo men interviewed both in 1992 and 1995. While 29% of women in need were still in need three years later (mostly to limit births), 35% had ado pted a method by 1995, and another 36% had moved into the ''other, no need'' category which includes women trying to get pregnant and infecu nd women. Religious objections or the husband's opposition were the ob stacles to using contraceptives that were most difficult to overcome. Conclusions: The results underscore the importance of studying unmet n eed in a longitudinal perspective, which is the only research design t hat permits evaluating transitions in planning status over time.