Some aspects regarding teenage pregnancy in Denmark.

The 'Scandinavian model' is often mentioned as the one that upholds citizens' rights and encourages an opened-minded and honest discussion of problems. This article focuses on unplanned teenage pregnancies in Denmark. During the period 1974 to 1990 the number of live births to women in the age group 15 to 19 years almost halved. During the same period there was only a 20% reduction in the number of legal abortions. The legal abortion rate is considered to be relatively high, and initiatives taken to reduce the rate are elucidated. Special attention is paid to topics such as access to information on contraceptives and the extent to which adolescents use the knowledge they have acquired. Another topic of discussion is the influence of AIDS on younger people with regard to the use of contraceptives. Strategies are suggested that might reduce the number of unplanned teenage pregnancies.