‘Reproductive health deserts’: A fifth of regional areas have no IUD providers
GP Dr Heather McNamee says the cost and time involved in IUD training is a deterrent for regional GPs.
Almost 20% of regional Victorian areas have no IUD insertion providers and 50% have no pharmacies stocking IUD devices, a report has found.
The report by advocacy group Women’s Health Victoria reviewed calls to reproductive health helpline 1800 My Options, data from the ABS and from the Victorian Women’s Health Services Network, which comprises 12 public clinics.
It identified reproductive healthcare “deserts” especially disadvantaged local government areas (LGAs) such as Mildura or Ararat.
Nine of 79 LGAs had no IUD insertion providers, all within the 48 regional LGAs. Seven were in the 24 regional LGAs with above-average levels of disadvantage.
