Researchers conducted this study to describe contraceptive service use and identify demographic and sexual behavioral characteristics associated with different services.
Participants comprised 3369 men and 4375 women reporting vaginal intercourse in the last year. The primary outcome measures were the use of contraceptive services, grouped as a general practice, community contraceptive clinics, retail services, and nonuse of services.
General practice was the most commonly reported source of contraceptive supplies for women, while men frequently wrote retail services. 16.3% of women and 7.3% of men reported using more than one type of service. 20.7% of women and 45.1% of men had used no benefit in the last year, and amongst 16–17-year-olds, the proportions reporting non-use of services were 13.8% and 31.2%, respectively. The use of community contraceptive clinics was associated with being younger, childless, single, and reporting more heterosexual partners in the last year.
There was relatively little ‘shopping around’ between different services, suggesting that contraceptive providers’ choice ensures a range of needs is met for most people. While general practice is the most commonly used source of supplies, community contraceptive clinics are seeing those potentially at higher sexual health risk, particularly the young and those with multiple partners.
Reference: https://srh.bmj.com/content/35/1/9
