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Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Preference for Face-to-Face Contraceptive Service Delivery Post-COVID-19 Pandemic
T2 - Cross-Sectional Study
AU - Patterson, Sophie
AU - Rennie, Nicola
AU - Mann, Sue
AU - McCarthy, Ona L.
AU - Palmer, Melissa J.
AU - French, Rebecca S.
PY - 2025/8/11
Y1 - 2025/8/11
N2 - ObjectiveTo measure the prevalence of, and social positions associated with, preference for solely face-to-face contraceptive service delivery among women and people assigned female at birth in post-COVID-19 pandemic England.DesignCross-sectional online study.SettingEngland.SampleThe Reproductive Health Survey for England (RHSE) recruited women and people assigned female at birth aged 16–55 living in England using an online non-probability convenience sampling strategy from September–October 2023. The study population was limited to contraception users who answered the question of interest.MethodsMultivariable logistic regression identified variables independently associated with preference for face-to-face services.Main Outcome MeasuresPreference for face-to-face services, derived from response to the question ‘How would you prefer to access contraceptive services?’ (face-to-face vs. telephone/video/website/combination/no preference).ResultsThe study population included 28 328 participants: median age was 30 (IQR:24–38), 92.5% (n = 26 193) reported White ethnicity, and 96% (n = 27 296) identified as a woman/girl. Preference for solely face-to-face services services was reported by 24.7% (n = 6992/28 328). In adjusted analysis, preference for face-to-face was associated with younger and older age; not having degree-level qualifications, self-reporting financial hardship, living with a disability, identifying as a woman/girl, and not being in a (cohabiting) relationship. Whilst there was a significant independent association between paid employment and preference for face-to-face services, effect direction was dependent on ethnicity.ConclusionsAlthough a minority of participants reported a preference for solely face-to-face services, they may represent those with the highest unmet need for contraceptive services. Maintaining choice within contraceptive service delivery in an increasingly digitised healthcare landscape is crucial to advance equitable, person-centred reproductive healthcare.
AB - ObjectiveTo measure the prevalence of, and social positions associated with, preference for solely face-to-face contraceptive service delivery among women and people assigned female at birth in post-COVID-19 pandemic England.DesignCross-sectional online study.SettingEngland.SampleThe Reproductive Health Survey for England (RHSE) recruited women and people assigned female at birth aged 16–55 living in England using an online non-probability convenience sampling strategy from September–October 2023. The study population was limited to contraception users who answered the question of interest.MethodsMultivariable logistic regression identified variables independently associated with preference for face-to-face services.Main Outcome MeasuresPreference for face-to-face services, derived from response to the question ‘How would you prefer to access contraceptive services?’ (face-to-face vs. telephone/video/website/combination/no preference).ResultsThe study population included 28 328 participants: median age was 30 (IQR:24–38), 92.5% (n = 26 193) reported White ethnicity, and 96% (n = 27 296) identified as a woman/girl. Preference for solely face-to-face services services was reported by 24.7% (n = 6992/28 328). In adjusted analysis, preference for face-to-face was associated with younger and older age; not having degree-level qualifications, self-reporting financial hardship, living with a disability, identifying as a woman/girl, and not being in a (cohabiting) relationship. Whilst there was a significant independent association between paid employment and preference for face-to-face services, effect direction was dependent on ethnicity.ConclusionsAlthough a minority of participants reported a preference for solely face-to-face services, they may represent those with the highest unmet need for contraceptive services. Maintaining choice within contraceptive service delivery in an increasingly digitised healthcare landscape is crucial to advance equitable, person-centred reproductive healthcare.
U2 - 10.1111/1471-0528.18323
DO - 10.1111/1471-0528.18323
M3 - Journal article
JO - BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
JF - BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
SN - 1470-0328
ER -