Contraceptive use in young women: uptake, availability and education

Despite increased availability of contraception and a relaxation of prescribing laws unplanned pregnancies will still occur. However when the right to life of the unborn child is enshrined in the constitution it is vital to provide adequate sex education and ensure the availability of all methods of contraception to reduce unplanned pregnancies to a minimum. This paper surveys the use of contraception prior to pregnancy in a group of unmarried mothers who delivered at a Dublin maternity hospital. It also surveys the availability of contraception from the pharmacies within the hospital's catchment area and the provision of sex education in the surrounding schools.