Synopsis

There are a number of new types of contraception that have become available in Australia over the last decade. The contraceptive implant (e.g. Implanon) was introduced in May 2001, the progestogen IUD (e.g. Mirena) was listed on the PBS in 2003, and the vaginal contraceptive ring (e.g. Nuva-Ring) was launched in March 2007. The availability of long-acting reversible contraceptive methods such as Implanon and Mirena have expanded the range of options for women, particularly after they have finished childbearing. This project examines the uptake of permanent vs long-acting reversible contraception in comparison with the use of traditional methods of contraception. It focuses particularly on the question of whether location of residence and access to health services are important factors in the type of contraception women use. Most studies of contraceptive method uptake occur in clinical settings among women attending for contraceptive services. This project uses data from the 1973-78 cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health to examine the uptake of different contraceptive methods in a community sample of women. The research objectives are: 1. To describe changes in contraceptive use from Survey 4 to Survey 6. 2. To examine factors associated with use of traditional, long-acting and permanent contraceptive methods, particularly area of residence and health service access.