Use of long-acting reversible contraceptives in the UK from 2004 to 2010: Analysis using The Health Improvement Network Database. (December 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cea Soriano, Lucía; Wallander, Mari-Ann; Andersson, Susan; Filonenko, Anna; García Rodríguez, Luis Alberto
• Is Part Of: European journal of contraception & reproductive health care. Volume 19:Number 6(2014:Dec.)
• Page Start: 439
• Page End: 447
• Publication Date: 2014-12
• Subjects: Contraception -- Periodicals; Reproductive health -- Periodicals; Generative organs, Female -- Periodicals; Contraception -- Periodicals; Reproductive Medicine -- Periodicals; 613.9
• DOI: 10.3109/13625187.2014.948613
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1362-5187

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <bold>Objectives</bold> To determine the use of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) in the UK over the period 2004 to 2010, using the general practice database The Health Improvement Network (THIN).</p> <p> <bold>Methods</bold> Women in THIN, aged 18 to 44 years during 2004 to 2010, who had been registered with their general practitioner for at least five years, with a prescription history of at least one year were included. THIN was searched using the Read and MULTILEX codes for: copper intrauterine devices (Cu-IUDs), the levonorgestrel releasing-intrauterine system (LNG-IUS), progestogen-only implants, and progestogen-only injections.</p> <p> <bold>Results</bold> The prevalence of progestogen-only implant use rose from 0.5 to 3.4%, and that of the LNG-IUS from 3.1 to 5.2%. The annual incidence and prevalence of progestogen-only implant use increased for all age groups but was most marked in younger women, whereas the use of the LNG-IUS augmented with increasing age. For all women, there was a small decrease in the prevalence of use of Cu-IUDs (from 5.4 to 4.8%) and progestogen-only injections (from 3.6 to 3.2%).</p> <p> <bold>Conclusions</bold> Uptake of progestogen-only implants and the LNG-IUS increased over the period 2004 to 2010 in the UK, but LARC use in young women remains low.</p> </abstract>