Family Planning Association React To Contraception And Sexual Health Statistics From ONS, UK

Main Category: Sexual Health / STDs
Article Date: 28 Oct 2008 - 10:00 PDT

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The Contraception and Sexual Health 2007/08 report released today by the Office of National Statistics showed that the 'Pill still the most popular form of birth control' with 28 per cent of women under 50 using it.

"Do women prefer to use the pill more, or is it perhaps, that this contraceptive method is offered to them first before any other?" said Julie Bentley, Chief Executive, fpa.

"The pill has been around for many years, it's easily available, very safe and effective. Women are used to hearing and talking about it and health professionals are used to prescribing it. However, there are fourteen methods of contraception available. It's very encouraging that long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) is on the increase[1]. But, we would like to see more of an equal split between the methods used, and more training and support for professionals to provide all of them."

Commenting that television programmes were the most commonly mentioned source of information about sexually transmitted infections, Julie added:

"Our own survey of over 2,000 people showed that 51% would like to see television soaps and dramas have more characters talking about and using condoms[2]. So clearly there is an opportunity for more safer sex on TV through programmes and advertising."

fpa (Family Planning Association) is the only registered charity working to improve the sexual health and reproductive rights of all people throughout the UK. http://www.fpa.org.uk

[1] Increased by 3 per cent from 2000/01 to 2007/08. Contraception and Sexual Health 2007/08, Office for National Statistics. LARC consists of four different methods: the intrauterine device (IUD), the intrauterine system (IUS), the contraceptive injection and contraceptive implant.

[2] You Gov questioned 2,169 adults online between the 6th and 9th July 2007 across Great Britain on behalf of fpa. Weighting was applied to the data to bring it into line with national profiles.

Family Planning Association