Unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases and unprotected sex in young people highlight a need to improve the provision of contraceptive services for this age group. The aim of the present study was to examine young men and women's use of and beliefs about, contraceptive services. A questionnaire was completed by 967 16 to 19 year olds from South Thames concerning their use of and beliefs about, a range of services which provide contraception. The results showed variability in both service use and belie about services which related to the respondent's sexual experience and gender In terms of use, the chemist and the condom machine had been used by the largest number of respondents, with more men using the condom machine and women favouring the GP or family planning clinic. In terms of beliefs, the condom machine was regarded as the easiest and most comfortable to use but the least confidential for all respondents with men reporting higher ratings for ease of use than women and non virgins reporting more positive beliefs for all criteria. The results are discussed in terms of the implications for health education. It is suggested that contraception use in young people could be promoted by embracing rather than challenging this variability. Accordingly, health education interventions would involve providing young people with information about contraception services which was designed to be in line, rather than conflict, with their existing concerns and beliefs. Such an approach would enable them to make informed choices about the kind of contraceptive service which matched their own personal needs.
PIP: Beliefs about and experiences with various types of contraceptive services were investigated in a cross-sectional study of 967 British students 16-19 years of age from South Thames. 55.1% of respondents (67.7% of females and 32.3% of males) had experienced sexual intercourse. 87.2% of sexually active respondents (90.6% of females and 80.2% of males) had used one or more community services--primarily chemists and condom machines--to obtain contraception. Respondents differentiated among sources of contraceptive supplies in terms of their perceived ease of access, comfort of use, and confidentiality. While men preferred condom machines, females were more likely to favor a family planning clinic or a general practitioner's office. The condom machine and the chemist were rated as the easiest services to access. Young people identified the chemist and a general practitioner's office as the sources of contraception with which they were least comfortable. Condom machines and chemists were regarded as the least confidential sources. Students who were virgins were substantially more uncomfortable about the possibility of accessing all possible services than their sexually experienced peers. Recommended is a strategy that encourages young people to make informed choices about a source of contraceptive supplies based on their particular needs and perceptions.