More teenagers visit family planning clinics

More than double the number of girls aged under-16 attend family
planning clinics now than they did ten years ago, figures on NHS
contraceptive services show.

In 2003, 92,000 under 16s attended NHS family planning clinics
in England compared to just 41,000 in 1993. The percentage of 13-15
year olds attending clinics has also increased – from nearly
five per cent in 1993-4 to almost 10 per cent in 2003-4.

However the peak age for clinic attendance was 16-17, with
nearly a quarter of women in this age group visiting a clinic.
Around four in ten 16-19 year olds who use contraception attend
clinics, with most of the others going to their GP for
contraceptive services.

 The figures show that in 2003-4 half the attendees aged
under-16 chose to use the male condom while a third opted for oral
contraception. During the year 27,200 under-16s were given
emergency contraception.

More clinic sessions are now held for young people aged under 20
by NHS family planning clinics and around 416,000 attend them.

NHS Contraceptive Services, England: 2003-4 from http://www.publications.doh.gov.uk/public/sb0417.pdf