Yes, use of Depo Provera is associated with a well recognised delay in the return of fertility. It can take up to one year for fertility to return after stopping Depo Provera. Health professionals include this information in routine advice about choosing Depo Provera. No other methods of contraception are associated with a delay in the return of fertility.

It is for NHS boards to identify and address the training needs of their staff. However, in light of the NHS Quality Improvement Scotland Sexual Health Standards, we have been advised that the majority of NHS boards have increased training for health professionals, in primary care and specialist services, to fit long-acting reversible methods of contraception.

In addition to ensuring easy access to services and information, the Scottish Government is currently developing a social marketing campaign which will increase public knowledge of all sexual health matters.

In addition, there will be a specific campaign to promote the use of long-acting reversible methods of contraception among women of all ages and life-stages to reduce the levels of unintended pregnancy in all age groups.

The annual rate of chlamydia testing per 1,000 males aged 15 to 24 in each NHS board area is available under figure 1.2 of the most recent Key Clinical Indicator report produced by Information Services Division, which can be found at the following link:

http://www.isdscotland.org/isd/5410.html.

This information is not held centrally.

A range of models across Scotland provide appropriate sexual health services which link into specialist services as required.

The majority of mainland services already have or are working towards fully integrated specialist sexual health services.

The annual rate of chlamydia testing per 1,000 females aged 15 to 24 in each NHS board area is available under figure 1.1 of the most recent Key Clinical Indicator report produced by Information Services Division, which can be found at the following link:

http://www.isdscotland.org/isd/5410.html.

At present it cannot be guaranteed that every woman requiring contraception is provided with information which covers all methods of contraception.

The Scottish Government is working closely with NHS Health Scotland to provide educational materials for health professionals which will enable them to give women information on all methods of contraception. The Scottish Government is also developing a social marketing campaign on long-acting reversible methods of contraception (LARC), which will include materials for women outlining all methods of contraception.

NHS boards are additionally working towards meeting the NHS Quality Improvement Standards which include a specific standard on LARC.

It is currently too early to tell whether an increase in the uptake of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) has had an impact on unintended pregnancy and abortion rates. There is still some way to go to increase the use of long-acting reversible methods to adequate levels within the population as recommended by NHS Quality Improvement Scotland. Uptake will however be monitored through the Key Clinical Indicators for sexual health and as part of the evaluation of the social marketing campaign to promote LARC, which will begin in spring 2009.

Yes, there is good evidence of associated significant weight gain among some, but not all, users of Depo Provera.