Family planning in displaced populations: an unmet need among Iraqis in Amman, Jordan.

CONTEXT: Studies have been done to characterize primary "urgent" health needs in displaced populations; few studies have explored specifically family planning (FP) needs. OBJECTIVE: To investigates the hypothesis that there exists an unmet need for FP among Iraqi nationals in Amman, Jordan. DESIGN: Married Iraqi individuals attending seven nongovernmental organization clinics were asked a subset of survey questions to ascertain FP health needs and access. RESULTS: 16.1 percent (n = 76) of respondents reported need for FP services, of which 16 percent (n = 397) report having access to FP counseling, and 43 percent (n = 33) had access to contraceptives. After 30 years of age, need for FP decreased yearly 12 percent (OR = 0.88, CI = 0.84-0.92, p = 0.00). After one year of living in Amman, Jordan, the odds of needing FP services increases yearly 13 percent (OR = 1.13, CI = 1.05-1.22, p = 0.001). In addition, if the respondent has one or more children younger than 5 years in the same household, the odds of needing FP services increases by 85 percent (OR = 1.85, CI = 1.0-3.44, p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study illustrates a clear unmet need in FP services among Iraqis in Amman, Jordan, especially among the long-term displaced.