Field experiments can help show how programs are able to address unmet need most effectively. A baseline survey can establish levels of unmet need and the characteristics of women with unmet need. Programs can then carry out various activities to address the need, and repeat surveys can assess their impact. If programs try various approaches, the findings can help them choose the most successful and efficient ones. Service and administrative statistics.
All programs collect information on their clients during the course of operations.
Such information often covers client characteristics, monthly activities, contraceptive supply flows, and so forth. To help analyze unmet need, programs also can collect information on who stops using each method and why, and why some clients do not switch to another method. Similarly, data on abortion complications treated, counseling provided, and adoption of contraception after abortion can provide insights into the unmet need group, because most women who have had induced abortion presumably want to avoid another unintended pregnancy.