Italy received an overall score of 59.3 in the 2020 Contraception Atlas due to the lack of contraceptive reimbursement. The country’s healthcare system is publicly financed and visits to the GP and public hospitals are free of charge. Even though all modern contraceptives are available on the Italian market, the government does not provide reimbursement for any of them. Furthermore, while online information about modern methods of contraception exists, information about the cost of contraceptives is insufficient. Italy has 60.5 million residents and has an estimated contraceptive prevalence rate of 59%. Italy has a low adolescent (15-19) birth rate (4 births per 1000 adolescents) in Europe.
Recommendations:
- While facing issues with access to contraception, Italy does not necessarily suffer from a lack of availability as such. Improvement can be significant by encouraging government-supported information on the cost of contraceptives.
- The prevalence rate of modern contraception in Italy is 48%, lower than the Spanish (58%) or Austrian (62%) one. Counselling and sexual education are tools that can improve awareness of modern contraceptives and reduce contraception stigmatisation.
- Italian government needs to ensure that all women of reproductive age enjoy reimbursements for contraceptive supplies, with a special focus on adolescents and vulnerable groups.
Breakdown by Criteria
Policies related to supplies and counselling
- Reimbursement
❌Reimbursement within the national health system
❌Special reimbursement for adolescents (until 19)
❌Special Reimbursement for vulnerable groups (unemployed/low income)
- Counselling
✔️Available, accessible, and affordable consultation
✔️No need for third-party consent
✔️Legal status (marital, citizenship) is not a barrier
- Prescription requirements
✔️Availability of emergency contraception without prescription
✔️Availability of self-administered hormonal contraception without prescription
Availability of online information
- Type of online information
Website provided by non-goverment supported website
✔️Number of contraceptives - excellent
❌Info on costs of contraceptives
✔️Info on where to get contraceptives
- User friendliness
❌Regional or minority language included
❌Web design
❌Discoverability of the website
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