Trends in induced abortion among Nordic women aged 40-44 years

From official statistics, the rates of induced abortion and birth rates in women aged 40-44 years were collected for Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland for each five-year during the period 1975-2005.With the exception of Sweden all other studied Scandinavian countries have lowered their abortion rates since 1975 (p < 0.001) and reduced the proportion of induced abortions in relation to birth rate (p < 0.001). In 2005 these countries also had lower rates of induced abortion than Sweden in the age group 40-44 years (p < 0.001).There is a significant change in rates of induced abortion in women aged 40-44 years in Finland, Norway, Denmark, and at status quo in Sweden. 40-44 years in Finland, Norway, Denmark, and at status quo in Sweden. This indicates that family planning programs works well in the Nordic countries. The differences found may be assumed to possible diverging focus on attitudes or ethical considerations.Induced abortion is a procedure made lawful by several societies, especially in the western world [1]. Still it is prohibited for cultural or religious reasons in many parts of the world, frequently leading to terrible consequences for women involved, as they are forced to consult facilities not lead by professionals, often leading to severe complications or even maternal death [2-4].A main reason to legalise induced abortion was to provide a safe procedure for the pregnant woman with an unplanned pregnancy and not force her to seek help from unprofessional persons or to have to travel abroad to countries, in which induced abortion was legal at that time, but medically unsafe [5].In the Nordic countries, induced abortion has been legal since the mid seventies [6], but the societies also stressed the need for adequate family planning facilities in order to avoid unplanned pregnancies [6]. All Nordic countries are regarded as modern well-fare states and are often used as role models in many social aspects. Support for families in these countries, for insta