Recommendations for research

The Programme Development Group (PDG) recommends that the following research questions should be addressed. It notes that 'effectiveness' in this context relates not only to the size of the effect, but also to cost effectiveness and duration of effect. It also takes into account any harmful/negative side effects.

1 Services for socially disadvantaged young people

What are the most effective and cost-effective ways to provide contraceptive services for socially disadvantaged young people to prevent unwanted pregnancies? In particular, what are the most effective and cost effective ways to provide contraceptive services for looked after children, those with learning difficulties, those who are not in education, employment or training or women who have had an abortion?

2 Involvement in designing services

What are the most effective ways to get socially disadvantaged young women and men involved in designing contraceptive services that meet their needs and reduce the barriers to access?

3 Effectiveness of interventions

How effective and cost effective are interventions that reduce unintended conception and abortion rates among young people aged under 25 years?

4 Impact of interventions

What is the differential impact of interventions that aim to reduce unintended conception and abortion rates among young people aged under 25 years on subgroups of socially disadvantaged young people?

5 Young people from diverse faith and cultural communities

What interventions and service models enable young people from diverse faith and cultural communities to access contraceptive services and meet their contraceptive needs?

More detail on the gaps in the evidence identified during development of this guidance is provided in appendix D.