Women Rank GPs Top For Advice On Contraception, But Dept Of Health Funded Report Calls For Further Action, UK

Nearly 60% of UK women rank GPs as their first port of call for information and advice on contraception, according to results of a survey among UK women and their own GPs.1


Around half of pregnancies in the UK are unplanned despite over three quarters of women under 50 using some form of contraception.2,3 Educating women about contraception and the choices available is important so they can make an informed decision about the right method for them and avoid unplanned pregnancy. More than half of women surveyed originally chose their current method because their GP recommended it.1


There are 14 methods available in the UK but the most commonly used is still 'the Pill', used by nearly half of women despite the second most common reason for women using emergency contraception is because they have missed or forgotten to take their oral contraceptive.3,4 A recent Department of Health funded report evaluated the impact of the 2001 National Strategy for Sexual Health and found that progress has been made in many areas but recommended greater access to contraceptive services and that a wider range of methods are offered.5


Dr Anne Szarewski, Associate Specialist in Family Planning at The Margaret Pyke Centre and Talk Choice Panel member, said "GPs and other healthcare professionals play a key role in promoting contraceptive choice and ensuring women understand the method they are considering using. Women are relying on healthcare professionals to help them choose the best method to suit their lifestyle at that time, and therefore avoid unplanned pregnancy. By being equipped with up-to-date information, healthcare professionals can ensure they are providing the best possible information."


Implementing NICE Guidelines


Provision of information and contraceptive choice is recommended in the NICE Guidelines on long-acting reversible contraception methods (LARCs).6 These state that women requiring contraception should be given information about and a choice of all contraceptive methods, including LARC methods such as the implant, injection, IUD (intrauterine device) and IUS (intrauterine system). While a third of GPs in the survey were unaware of the guidelines, over three quarters of practices have LARC trained staff.1


While it may be difficult to talk about all 14 methods of contraception during a consultation, it is worth encouraging women to prepare in advance. Talk Choice, the national campaign all about contraceptive choice, provides information and materials to support healthcare professionals in helping women make more informed decisions in the short time available.


For more information on contraceptive choice and a useful guide to give to women, visit talkchoice


Talk Choice


Talk Choice is the national campaign all about contraceptive choice, developed by healthcare company Organon, a part of Schering-Plough Corporation. It aims to inform and educate women about the full range of contraceptive options available to them. Our aim is that, along with their healthcare professionals, women are able to choose a suitable method that works with their body and lifestyle. Organon, a part of Schering-Plough Corporation supports a woman's right to choose her contraception from the full range of options available.
















Talk Choice has a Panel of UK experts


Dr Anne Szarewski - Associate Specialist in Family Planning at The Margaret Pyke Centre

Dr Diana Mansour - Consultant in Community Gynaecology and Reproductive Health Care

Dr Sarah Brewer - Health writer and broadcaster

Toni Belfield - Specialist in Sexual Health Information

Catharine Parker-Littler - Consultant Midwife and founder of midwivesonline

Talk Choice is commissioned and funded by Organon, a part of Schering-Plough Corporation.



Latest updates on contraception in the UK


The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) Clinical Guideline 30 on long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) was first published in October 2005 and states that women requiring contraception should be given information about and a choice of all contraceptive methods, including LARC. It is due to be updated in 2009.6


In February 2008, the Government announced a ??26.8 million drive to reduce teenage pregnancies and promote the full range of contraception to women of all ages.7


At the 2008 British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) conference, US contraception expert Professor James Trussell called for increased use of LARCs, suggesting these methods are more effective as they can be 'fitted and forgotten'. Resulting coverage saw 'the Pill' labelled as 'outdated' and 'ineffective', as a result of the number of unwanted pregnancies and abortions due to incorrect use.8


In July 2008 a report by the Medical Foundation for Aids and Sexual Health for the Independent Advisory Group on Sexual Health, funded by the Department of Health, evaluating the impact of the National Strategy for Sexual Health published in 2001 found that there has been progress in many areas but recommend greater access to contraceptive services and that a wider range of methods are offered.5


The NHS Contraception Survey in England 06/07 was released in October 2007 and captures UK use of contraception and attendance at contraception clinics. The Survey for 07/08 is due to be published in October 2008.4


Spoilt for Choice Research


A total of 100 paired interviews involving UK women and their own GPs were completed in June 2008. The fieldwork was led by Gillian Kenny Associates Ltd, a UK medical market research field agency.


Organon, a part of Schering Plough Corporation


Organon is now a part of Schering-Plough Corporation. Schering-Plough is an innovation-driven, science-centred global health care company. Through its own biopharmaceutical research and collaborations with partners, Schering-Plough creates therapies that help save and improve lives around the world. The company applies its research-and-development platform to human prescription and consumer products as well as to animal health products. Schering-Plough's vision is to "Earn Trust, Every Day" with the doctors, patients, customers and other stakeholders served by its colleagues around the world. The company is based in Kenilworth, N.J., and the UK web site is schering-plough.


References


1. Spoilt for Choice: contraception conversations between women and their own GPs. Fieldwork by Gillian Kenny Associates Ltd. Commissioned and funded by Organon, a part of Schering-Plough Corporation and Virgo HEALTH. June 2008.


2. Kishen M et al. Contraception in crisis. J. Fam Planning Reprod Health Care. 2006:32(4).


3. Ladar D. Contraception and Sexual Health 2006/7. Newport, UK: Office for National Statistics. 2006/07.


4. NHS Contraceptive Services in England report 2006-07. October 2007. Available from: ic.nhs/statistics-and-data-collections/health-and-lifestyles/contraception (Last accessed 19 August 2008).


5. Medical Foundation for AIDS & Sexual Health (MedFASH). Progress and priorities - working together for high quality sexual health: Review of the National Strategy for Sexual Health and HIV. Produced for the Independent Advisory Group on Sexual Health and HIV. July 2008. Available from: medfash/publications/documents/Recommended_standards_for_sexual_health_services.pdf (Last accessed 19 August 2008).


6. NICE Clinical Guideline 30. Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC). October 2005.NHS


7. Department of Health. ??26.8 million to improve access to contraception. February 2008.


8. Trussell J. Why contraception fails. Office of Population Research, Princeton University. Presented at the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) conference. June 2008.


Source

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Account Executive

Virgo HEALTH

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