Finland's abortion rate among young women and girls has decreased over the past two decades, according to the results of an extensive study by the University of Helsinki.
During the same period, the number of babies born to women under 20 years of age has also dropped.
The study found that free contraception provided by municipalities as well as age-restricted morning-after pills available from pharmacies were both significant contributory factors behind the reduction in teenage pregnancies.
The importance of free contraception is clear from the research results, especially to young people themselves, according to Eerika Jalanko, a University of Helsinki doctoral student and primary author of the study.
"The cost of contraception is one factor that prevents contraception being sought or used. 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 trial reduced the number of abortions among 15–19-year-olds by as much as 36 percent.
Options depend on local municipal policy
In Finland, municipalities decide independently whether or not to offer free contraceptives to young people. Some municipalities provide all contraceptive methods free of charge, while others offer more limited options.
The length of time that free contraception is provided to 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 examined the 100 largest municipalities in Finland, and found that about 25 percent offered unlimited contraceptive options to young people.
"Some municipalities, for example, offer the pill for free for three months. It’s a whole different matter than being allowed to choose for yourself [which form of contraception], and if it would be free until you are 20 or 25 years old. It puts young people in an unequal position," Jalanko said, adding that progress is being made as more and more municipalities have started offering free contraception in recent years.
Sexual health 'not a political priority'
Jalanko added that she believes all young people should be offered free contraception, regardless of the municipality in which they live.
The availability of contraception to young people is also on the current government's programme for office, which set out plans for a nationwide trial providing free contraception to people under the age of 25.
However, Jalanko believes that in municipal politics, other issues may have taken precedence over sexual health.
"Sexual health has not been seen as a significant or important issue in municipal politics. I think now that this has been highlighted and more research has come, it has highlighted the importance of the issue," she said.
Free contraception schemes can also bring savings to municipalities, as visits to health care and specialist care decrease as abortions are reduced.
However, every prevention of an unwanted pregnancy is important specifically for the young person involved, Jalanko added.
"In the case of the young people themselves, it is a significant factor. If one unwanted pregnancy is prevented, it really means a lot," she said.