Age disparities in unmet need for contraception among all sexually active women in Colombia: an analysis of the 2015 Demographic Health Survey

Abstract

Background Unmet need for contraception increases unintended pregnancies and puts the health and reproductive rights of women at risk. Social determinants are associated with unmet need for contraception, but it is unclear if age is a social determinant of disparities in reproductive health-related outcomes in all Colombian women irrespective of marital status.Methods This study used the 2015 Colombian Demographic and Health Survey. The outcome of interest was the unmet need for contraception among 24,245 sexually active women aged 13-49. Age was associated with unmet need for contraception in Colombia through multivariate analysis. Absolute and relative inequalities were estimated using prevalence differences and odds ratios, respectively.Results The prevalence of unmet need was significantly higher in women in marital union aged 13 to 19 years old (19.8%), than their unmarried counterparts (16.8%), and all older age groups either married or unmarried. Women 13 to 19 years old [OR=2.98 (2.49-3.57)] and 20-29 year old [OR=1.71(1.48-1.97)] are more likely to have an unmet need for contraception than those 40-49-year-old.Conclusions Age disparities are barriers to attaining the Sustainable Development Goals for sexual and reproductive health. Cultural, social, and access barriers demand to tailor health care services to meet the needs of younger women to narrow the age gap.