Access to artificial reproduction technology in the Nordic countries in 2004.
OBJECTIVE
To survey access to Artificial Reproduction Technology (ART) treatments in 2004 with regard to legislation, geographical location, financing and the kind of ART treatments provided in the Nordic countries.


METHODS
Retrospective descriptive survey of practice at ART clinics and legislation.


METHODS
Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.


METHODS
Sixty-six ART clinics registered with the Nordic Fertility Society in autumn 2005.


METHODS
A questionnaire was sent to all ART clinics and a survey of legislation concerning ART treatments and public statistics was performed. The response rate was 79%.


METHODS
Access to ART treatments.


RESULTS
The differences in legislation among the countries mainly concerns gamete donation. Couples living in larger cities or densely populated areas have best access to ART treatments. With regard to subsidizing of treatment costs, Finland and Denmark seem to be the best of the Nordic countries.


CONCLUSIONS
The main differences among the countries concern the legislation, the cost of the treatments and how those are subsidized.
Sol Olafsdottir
Helga
H
Nordic School of Public Health, Gothenburg, Sweden. helga.olafsdottir@nhv.se
Wikland
Matts
M
Möller
Anders
A
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D004180:Direct Service Costs; D005260:Female; D005380:Financing, Government / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005387:Finland; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007055:Iceland; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012537:Scandinavian and Nordic Countries; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires