title: Provision of hormonal and long-acting reversible contraceptive services by general practices in Scotland, UK (2004-2009).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the UK, a large proportion of contraceptive services are provided from general practice. However, little is known about which contraceptive services are provided and to whom.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive serial cross-sectional study of women aged 12-55&emsp14;years, registered with 191 general practices in Scotland, UK between 2004 and 2009.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Annual incidence of provision of hormonal and long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) increased from 27.7% in 2004 to 30.1% in 2009. Amongst those women registered with a general practice for the full 5-year period the provision of LARCs increased from 8.8% to 12.5% (p<0.001). For the same group, the provision of emergency hormonal contraception (EHC) decreased from 5.2% to 2.6% (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With the exception of EHC, there was an increase over time in the provision of hormonal contraceptives and LARCs from general practices. It is important that a full range of contraceptive options remains easily available to women.
authors.affiliation: Medical Student, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK.
authors.forename: Anusha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hannaford
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lefevre
authors.forename: Dolapo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ayansina
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003267:Contraception / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005193:Family Planning Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012606:Scotland; D006113:United Kingdom; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female
keywords: emergency contraception; family planning service provision; general practice; hormonal contraception; long-acting reversible contraception