UPTAKE OF FAMILY-PLANNING-SERVICES AMONG AN ETHNICALLY MIXED POPULATION IN A GENERAL-PRACTICE SETTING

A descriptive study of the uptake of family planning services within a n urban general practice which has a mixed ethnic population, was unde rtaken with the aim of identifying areas where uptake could be improve d The target population was 562 female patients aged between 16 and 45 years during the period August 1995 to July 1996. Of this target popu lation, about 20 per cent had consulted the practice about contracepti on and four per cent were pregnant. These were excluded. The remaining majority had not consulted the practice about their contraceptive nee ds. The study looked in more detail at 194 patients who were available for interview: who had not attended the practice for family planning advice during three months from August 1, 1996 to October 31, 1996. Of these, a group could be identified who would have gained benefit fron t GP involvement. There were 22 'at risk' women who were not using con traception and II,who had not returned for IUD checks. There was a def inite preference for condom use among Asian patients. There was poor u ptake of family planning services among 16 to 25 year old Asian patien ts. Some personal observations and suggestions, for improving uptake a nd compliance are given.