Norplant: an unmet contraceptive need in Enugu, Nigeria

Nigeria has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world[1] and ranks lowest in terms of contraceptive prevalence rates in Africa[2]. The contraceptive prevalence in Nigeria ranges between 7-14.8%[3-5]. This high maternal mortality rate coupled with the very high total fertility rate (above 6.0 in the area of study)[6] has led to a renewed vigour in effecting solutions through a pervasive family planning programme, not only in Nigeria but in other developing countries. It has been opined that if family planning services were more widely available, up to 42% of maternal deaths could be averted in developing countries[7]. This same survey revealed that approximately 300 million couples in the reproductive age range did not want more children, but were not using any method of contraception.