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 Changes respondent would like to see in abortion facilities/birth control services in the area, adequacy of present services. Whether recommendations ever made to patients to terminate pregnancies (number in last 12 months). Proportion of patients seen privately/at various hospitals/delegated to staff below the rank of consultant. Main reason for psychiatric assessment. Details of changes in frequency of referrals since 1968 Abortion Act, contact between respondent and gynaecologist (whether satisfactory), situations in which respondent would recommend termination of pregnancy. Whether respondent is aware of final decision and disposition of a case, number of recommendations refused by gynaecologists/patients in last 12 months. Contact with patient after operation, assessment of emotional disturbance in patients following termination, opinion on setting up of special centres for termination under the NHS. Number of male/female referrals for discussion of sterilization in last 12 months, assessment of emotional disturbance in patients following sterilization, whether male or female sterilization preferable. Discussion and advice given to patients about contraception, reasons for supporting birth control services. Whether abortion, sterilization or contraception discussed with other hospital staff. Background Variables Marital status, religion, number of children.
Drawn by the Sampling Branch of the Government Social Survey. 52 registration districts were listed
Face-to-face interview
