Abstract for International Conference on Adolescent Health 19/20 October 2001

Confidentiality and the provision of emergency contraception to the under 16’s by General Practitioners in Avon: results of a postal survey

A Graham L MOORE, D SHARP1

(‘Division of Primary Health Care, 2Department of Social Medicine, both of the University of Bristol)

Objective To describe the provision of emergency contraception by general practitioners, and to explore their views towards confidentiality in the under 1 6s.

Design Confidential postal survey

Setting Avon Health Authority, South West England Subjects 486 general practice principals

Main outcome measures Provision of hormonal emergency contraception, use of the

JUD as emergency contraception. Adherence to guidelines on the provision of contraceptive advice to the under 16s. Role of practice nurse in provision of emergency contraception.

Results 486 (84%) general practice principals responded to the questionnaire. Only three (0.6%) GPs did not provide hormonal emergency contraception. Nearly half (232, 47.7%) would fit the IUD as emergency contraception. This was associated with female gender of the GP (OR=2.34, 95% CI 1.53-3.71), and whether the GP had a family planning qualification (OR=4.55, 95% CI 2.41-8.60). Only eight (1.6%) of respondents would need to ask for parental consent prior to providing hormonal emergency contraception to a 14 year old girl. Practice nurses in 26 (5%) of the respondent’s practices were available to provide advice and tablets for patients requesting hormonal emergency contraception. However, 74 (21%) respondent’s employed a family planning trained practice nurse who was not involved in any way in the provision of emergency contraception.

Coiiclusions Most GPs provide hormonal emergency contraception. A wider range of seryice provision is available from women GPs and those with a family planning qualification. Practice nurses remain an under used resource in this area. Young people need to be informed of GPs widespread adherence to current confidentiality guidelines.