An estimated 17% of married women in the developing world still have an unmet need for contraception. This study aimed to measure the prevalence and reasons for unmet contraceptive need among married women in the childbearing period in an underprivileged district in Eastern Cairo.

METHODS:
A cluster survey of 2340 women in the Marg district of Eastern Cairo was performed. Socio-demographic data and data on both past and present contraceptive use were obtained by interview questionnaire.

RESULTS:
The prevalence of unmet need was 7.4%; 53.4% for limiting and 46.6% for spacing. Experience of side effects from contraceptive use, and fear of side effects, was highly prevalent among women with unmet need. In addition, a large proportion of women with unmet need perceived themselves not to be at risk for conceiving.

CONCLUSIONS:
A substantial proportion of women in Cairo have unmet contraceptive need. Efficient counseling of women about contraception may help reduce this high prevalence.