Population Health
Guidance on best-practice contraceptive counselling to improve sexual and reproductive health in Wyndham
Women in parts of western Melbourne have a significant unmet need for sexual and reproductive health services.
Rates of medical termination of pregnancy in western Melbourne are high relative to the rest of Victoria, uptake of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC; inclusive of intra-uterine devices and sub-dermal implants) is low, and adolescent pregnancy is relatively common. This pattern is particularly evident in Wyndham, which also has a large and rapidly increasing population of adolescents and women of reproductive age.
Healthcare and community workers who engage with adolescents and women of child-bearing age have the opportunity to provide contraceptive counselling and support for accessing appropriate services, but don’t always have the time, resources or knowledge to do so.
In response to this need, the Western Public Health Unit (WPHU) has developed the following resources to assist healthcare workers in providing evidence-based contraceptive counselling, that presents LARC as the most effective option. These resources are specifically designed for the Wyndham area but can be used with women anywhere.
Resources
Quick Guide to Contraceptive Counselling in Wyndham
A 2-page guide with critical information and links to key resources, including pictorial decision-making tools, culturally appropriate fact sheets, and a service finder.
Click here to access the Quick Guide to Contraceptive Counselling in Wyndham.
Guide to Resources for Contraceptive Decision-Making
A curated list of the most useful evidence-based resources, including online interactive tools, videos, and resources for specific communities.
Click here to access the Guide to Resources for Contraceptive Decision-Making.
Dispelling the myths about Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC)
A fact sheet addressing common myths that prevent some women from considering LARC as an option.
Click here to access the factsheet Dispelling the myths about Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC).
Walk-through of best-practice contraceptive counselling resources recording
In May 2024, WPHU Sexual and Reproductive Health Clinical Nurse Consultant, Cynthia Pollard led a walk-through of the contraception resources with a cohort of Wyndham’s Maternal and Child Health nurses. The recording of this session can be viewed below.