In 1989, 300 women who were admitted for abortion at Buskerud Central Hospital answered questions about their reasons for deciding to terminate the pregnancy, and about prevention and information. The material was compared with a previous study of journals from 1977. In both cases the age group 15-20 years constituted 25% of the material. In 1989, 53% gave problems at home and economy as reasons for abortion, compared with 66% in 1977. In 1989, 34% emphasized school and education as reasons, compared with 14% in the previous study. 36% indicated that preventive measures had failed. 81% had received satisfactory information about the operation. 50% were in doubt about their decision.