NHS community contraception clinics were used by 7% more people – a total of 1.3 million – in the year to March 2009, according to an NHS Information Centre report.
Men constituted the biggest percentage rise, up 13% (17,000) to 140,000 – one in 10 of all those attending – while the number of women increased by 6% (67,000) to 1.2 million. The overall number has remained broadly stable at 2.5 million over the last 10 years.
The report also shows that:
- Among women, the 16-19 year-old age group had the highest number of attendances per 100 of the population. One fifth of women in this age group visited a clinic, while the proportion aged 15 and under was 8%. Both percentages are unchanged since 2007/08.
- Oral contraception was the first choice of 44% of women, and it remains the most common primary method. This percentage has remained stable since 2003/04.
Use of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) is increasing, making up 24% of primary contraception methods among women, compared with 23% in 2007/08 and 18% in 2003/04.
Copyright © Press Association 2009
