Use of the combined oral contraceptive pill by under 16s

The General Practice Research Database tvas used to examine pl-escribing of the combined oral contraceptive pill for females aged under 16 in England and Wales in 1997. From these data, calculations were made to estimate prev alence for these countries; family planning clinic return darn were combine d with the general practice estimates to give an overall figure of 4.2 per 100. This extent of use is low considering the amount of sexual activity no w occurring. A weak effect of population density on prescribing was found, with higher rates in the more rural areas.