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 Opinion on suitable persons to perform vasectomies, whether male or female sterilization preferable, number of vasectomies performed in last 12 months, proportion performed in hospitals/clinics, situations in which respondent would recommend vasectomy, opinion of contraindications to vasectomy, whether wife of man requiring vasectomy is seen, persons to whom vasectomy patients are referred for consultation, sources of referrals for vasectomies, personal contact with patient for sperm counts following operation, reasons for turning down referrals, whether respondent ever initiates suggestion of vasectomy. Opinion on vasectomy as an out-patient procedure, proportion of vasectomies performed as in/out-patient procedures, assessment of chances of restoration of fertility after operation, whether reversibility discussed with patients, effect of ability to store sperm on requests and referrals for vasectomy. Opinion of availability of vasectomies/birth control services on NHS. Changes respondent would like to see in vasectomy/birth control services in the area, range of private fees for vasectomy in the area, whether more publicity should be given to vasectomy, hospitals in area where vasectomies are performed, reasons for supporting birth control services. Background Variables Marital status, number of children, religion.
Drawn by the Sampling Branch of the Government Social Survey. 52 registration districts were listed
Face-to-face interview
