The Use of Oral Contraceptives Among Finnish Teenagers from 1981 to 2003

Adolescent OC use increased in the 1980s. A decade later, despite known increase in sexual activity, OC use remained unchanged. This was probably a result of deteriorated access to contraceptive counseling after changes in health service, and may have contributed to the increased abortion rate. Except for a decrease in OC use in the capital area, the association of individual, family, and regional factors with OC use remained mostly stable during 1981-2003.