Table 1

Use of sources to obtain contraceptives in the past year among women and men aged 16–44 years who had had vaginal sex in the past year

Source of contraceptive suppliesWomenMen
Denominators (unweighted, weighted)4571, 30883142, 3182
% (95% CI)% (95% CI)
General practice* 59.1 (57.2 to 61.0) 15.3 (13.6 to 17.0)
Community clinic 23.0 (21.6 to 24.5) 21.3 (19.6 to 23.0)
 GUM clinic8.5 (7.6 to 9.5)10.8 (9.6 to 12.1)
 Family planning clinic14.4 (13.2 to 15.7)6.8 (5.8 to 8.1)
 Youth advisory clinic1.1 (0.8 to 1.6)2.1 (1.7 to 2.7)
 School/college/university2.4 (1.9 to 3.0)6.4 (5.4 to 7.5)
Retail 28.6 (26.9 to 30.3) 54.6 (52.3 to 56.8)
 Pharmacy/chemist21.3 (19.8 to 22.9)35.0 (32.8 to 37.2)
 Internet website0.7 (0.5 to 1.2)3.1 (2.4 to 4.0)
 Petrol station/supermarket10.3 (9.2 to 11.5)24.8 (23.0 to 26.7)
 Vending machine0.7 (0.5 to 1.1)9.4 (8.2 to 10.7)
 Mail order0.2 (0.1 to 0.4)0.7 (0.4 to 1.2)
Other 2.9 (2.4 to 3.6) 2.9 (2.3 to 3.6)
 Emergency department at hospital0.30 (0.2 to 0.5)0.2 (0.1 to 0.5)
 NHS antenatal clinic0.90 (0.7 to 1.3)1.0 (0.7 to 1.5)
 Private doctor1.3 (0.9 to 1.7)1.0 (0.7 to 1.4)
 Other0.5 (0.3 to 0.8)0.8 (0.5 to 1.3)
Contraception not obtained in the last year 13.0 (11.6 to 14.4) 26.2 (24.2 to 28.3)
Number of sources used†
 013.0 (11.6 to 14.4)26.2 (24.2 to 28.3)
 159.8 (57.9 to 61.6)43.3 (41.0 to 45.5)
 221.0 (19.6 to 22.5)20.6 (18.9 to 22.4)
 3+6.2 (5.5 to 7.1)10.0 (8.8 to 11.3)
  • *General practice includes doctor, nurse and general practice surgery.

  • †Any source rather than source category.

  • GUM, genitourinary medicine; NHS, National Health Service.