Small area analysis has developed over the last two or three decades a
s a useful tool in health services research, as it allows the identifi
cation of areas within health or local authority districts with high r
ates of morbidity and mortality, and thus provides a useful base for p
lanning the delivery of health services. A profile was compiled for Li
verpool Family Health Services Authority on planned parenthood in the
Liverpool District, with the aim of identifying where resources are ne
eded most - which parts of the City, and which groups of women, are mo
st in need. The profile included an analysis of various outcome measur
es, including abortion statistics, which can be used as a guide to the
apparent effectiveness of services. Using a combination of statistics
on NHS abortions for electoral wards, and private abortions by postal
district, it became apparent that, on the whole, areas of high NHS in
duced abortion rates also have high private (British Pregnancy Advisor
y Service; BPAS) induced abortion rates, and vice versa. The maps for
NHS and BPAS abortion rates suggest that total abortion rates are high
in City centre wards, and low in areas south of the City. This would
suggest that there are differences in social factors, family planning
provision, and other factors which are influencing abortion rates. Alt
hough available indicators would suggest that City centre wards are in
greatest need of improved family planning provision, these are the wa
rds which are relatively well provided with health authority family pl
anning clinics. Local surveys would therefore be useful in an attempt
to estimate the influence of the various factors which lead to high in
duced abortion rates, and to indicate consumer opinions on family plan
ning provision and how it should develop.