Emergency, implantable & intrauterine contraception use amongst under 18s in an integrated sexual health service

Introduction:
Teenage pregnancy can be reduced by timely access to emergency contraception (EC), implants, intrauterine (IU) devices and systems and quick-starting.  Routine practice is to offer <18s all contraceptive methods, emergency IU contraception and quick-starting where appropriate.

Methods:
In the financial year 2015-16 there were 1975 attendances of 998 individuals <18 at a sexual & reproductive health service.  Data was analysed using an electronic report.

Results:
526 were White British (52.71%). 691 (69.24%) of <18s and 153 (79%) of <16s lived in the local authority area.  824 (82.6%) were female.  86 (10%) of first attendances in those <18 were for EC.  18 (20.1%) were <16, of whom 12 (67%) were quick-started a hormonal method.

15/193 (7.8%) of those 13-15 and 39/805 (4.8%) of those 16-17 years were fitted with an implant.  9/805 (1.1%) of those aged 16-17 were fitted with an IU device, no insertions in 13-15 years.

As a proportion of all ages IU contraception and implant insertions in <18s accounted for 9/1065 (0.85%) and 54/627 (8.6%) respectively.

Discussion:
The majority of <18 service users were local residents highlighting the importance of the availability of local services for people. Insertions of IU contraception in those <18 contributed a small proportion of total insertions undertaken. Further exploration of the acceptability and availability of IU contraception including EC for <18s is needed. We also suggest a review of those not quick-started after having EC to identify any barriers to access.

Emergency, implantable & intrauterine contraception use amongst under 18s in an integrated sexual health service

The Joint Annual Conference of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV & the Society for the Study of Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Ireland