Birth Control Services, 1970; Health Visitors and Midwives

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.The purpose of this study was to describe the birth control services in England and Wales (birth control services were interpreted broadly to include sterilization and therapeutic abortion as well as conventional methods) and also to study variations in services between areas. The Birth Control Services study consisted of 5 surveys: SN:402 <i>General Practitioners</i> recorded information about advice given by general practitioners and the views of general practitioners about their role in relation to conventional birth control as well as in relation to therapeutic abortion and sterilisation. Close attention was given to the pill, its possible health hazards, prolonged use, and side effects. SN:909 <i>Health Visitors and Midwives</i> collected data about advice given by health visitors and midwives and their views about their respective roles. The aim was to discover what aspects of birth control (including sterilisation and therapeutic abortion) they feel confident and justified in discussing with the mothers they visit and to what extent they do this. SN:910 <i>Consultant General Surgeons and Urologists</i> collected information about the views and practice of consultant general surgeons and urologists in relation to sterilisation and in the field of birth control generally. SN:911 <i>Consultant Psychiatrists</i> collected information about the role of consultant psychiatrists in advising about terminations of pregnancy. SN:912 <i>Consultants in Obstetrics and Gynaecology</i> collected information about the views and practice of consultant obstetricians and gynaecologists in relation to sterilisation, terminations of pregnancy and in the fields of birth control generally.Main Topics:Attitudinal/Behavioural Questions Situations in which respondent would raise discussion of contraception, place where birth control discussed, amount of working time spent with expectant mothers, method of birth control mothers asked about most. Method used by largest number of families 3 months after baby's birth. Advice given to normal, healthy women about oral contraception. Assessment of comparative health risks of oral contraception and pregnancy. Attitude to sheath, withdrawal and safe period methods and rating of reliability. Whether man or woman most appropriate user of contraception, circumstances under which respondent would try to persuade an unwilling woman to take contraceptive measures, frequency of discussion of over-population with patients, opinion on who should have birth control free through NHS, source of information for keeping up to date with new developments, whether ever worked in a family planning clinic. Whether there was/should be a family planning clinic in area based at a Maternity and Child Health Centre (reasons). Opinions about sterilization were explored in detail and situations in which respondent would raise discussion of pregnancy termination. Clinics or hospitals where male sterilization was performed in area. Satisfaction with existing facilities for abortion in area. Details about leaflets on birth control given to mothers in area. Background Variables Age, marital status, number of children, religion, job title, whether full or part time, any special duties or types of caseload, other work undertaken