Abortion rates and the role of family planning: a presentation of the Greek reality.
OBJECTIVE
Due to lack of consistent evidence, it is widely believed that Greece holds one of the highest abortion rates in Europe. The aim of this study is to clarify these rates.


METHODS
The Greek Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology collected data demonstrating that abortion rates seem to be declining which coincides with the rise of the use of more effective methods of contraception. Data were collected both from public and private hospitals, and an attempt was made to correlate the data with the current trends of family planning and birth control.


RESULTS
A decline in abortion rates in Greece was found, which may be due to the better organization of counseling programmes in the field.


CONCLUSIONS
The programmes organized by the Greek Family Planning Association under the guidance of the University of Athens has led to a decline in abortion rates in Greece.
Salakos
N
N
2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aretaieion Hospital, Medical School of Athens, Greece.
Bakalianou
K
K
Gregoriou
O
O
Iavazzo
C
C
Paltoglou
G
G
Creatsas
G
G
D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D000328:Adult; D001723:Birth Rate; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D011247:Pregnancy; D055815:Young Adult