According to the results of an extensive study by the University of Helsinki, the miscarriage rate of young women and girls in Finland has decreased over the past two decades.
During the same period, the number of babies born to women under the age of 20 has also declined.
The study found that free contraception provided by municipalities and age-restricted morning pills from pharmacies were both significant factors behind the reduction in teenage pregnancies.
The importance of free contraception is evident from research findings, especially according to the young people themselves Eerika Jalanko, Doctoral student at the University of Helsinki and primary author of the research.
"The cost of contraception is one factor that prevents you from looking for or using contraception. The quality and easy availability of services are also important, especially for young people," Jalanko said.
Previous studies have produced similar results: in Vantaa, for example, a free contraceptive study reduced the number of abortions among 15โ19-year-olds by as much as 36 percent.
The options depend on the policy of the local municipality
In Finland, municipalities decide independently whether or not to offer free contraception to young people. Some municipalities offer all methods of contraception for free, while others offer more limited options.
The duration of free contraception for young people also varies between municipalities.
"At some level, almost every municipality offers free contraception, but the conditions are very different," Jalanko explained.
The study looked at Finland’s 100 largest municipalities and found that about 25 per cent offered young people unlimited contraceptive options.
"For example, some municipalities offer the pill for free for three months. Itโs a whole different matter than being allowed to choose for yourself [which form of contraception]and if it were free until the age of 20 or 25. It puts young people in an unequal position," Jalanko said progress has been made as more and more municipalities have started offering free prevention in recent years.
Sexual health is not a political priority
Jalanko added that he thinks all young people should be offered free contraception, regardless of the municipality in which they live.
Access to contraception for young people is also on the current governmentโs office program, which outlined plans for a nationwide trial offering free contraception for those under 25 years of age.
However, Jalanko believes that in municipal politics, other things may have taken precedence over sexual health.
"Sexual health has not been considered a significant or important issue in municipal policy. I think that now that this has been emphasized and more research has come, it has emphasized the importance of this," he said.
Free methods of contraception can also bring savings to municipalities, as visits to health and specialist care are reduced when abortions are reduced.
However, every prevention of an unwanted pregnancy is important, especially for a young person, Jalanko added.
"In the case of young people themselves, it is a significant factor. If one unwanted pregnancy is prevented, it really means a lot," he said.
Source: The Nordic Page