Unwanted pregnancies

Unwanted pregnancies may have serious health consequences for young women, including the risks associated with dangerous or illegal abortions. According to data reflecting the situation in Greece, 30-40% of adolescent girls 16-18 year old are sexually active, while 30% do not use a contraceptive method and another 30% use untrustworthy measures, such as withdrawal. Pregnancy rates have decreased the past twenty years in Greece (from 9% in 1985 to 5.2% in 2003), which may be well explained by the increase in the abortion rate during the above time interval (1980: 28.8%, 2003: 50%).