ABORTIONS among under-16s have reached record levels, sparking fears over sex education and parenting in Scotland.
Figures published yesterday showed 341 terminations were carried out on under-16s last year, up from 309 in 2004.
There were also 3,304 abortions on women and girls under 20 - 86 more than in 2004.
The overall number of abortions in Scotland
for all ages increased to 12,603 from 12,461 the previous year.
The figures raised fears that the Executive's efforts to improve sex education and prevent unwanted pregnancies were so far failing to have an effect.
The Respect and Responsibility strategy launched last January was the first nationwide strategy on sexual health, with previous initiatives focused at a local level.
Earlier this month, it emerged that an 11-year-old West Lothian girl had become pregnant after losing her virginity during a drunken night out.
Yesterday's figures showed that the highest abortion rate was seen in the NHS Tayside health board, at 16.4 per 1,000, followed by NHS Lothian at 14.1.
The highest rates were seen in those aged 16 to 24, with a rate of about 23 per 1,000 women.
But most concern was raised about the number of girls having abortions below the legal age of consent - now at its highest recorded level.
Tim Street, the chief executive of FPA Scotland (Family Planning Association), said the rise in under-16 abortions was "quite a big jump".
"However much as a society we want under-16s not to have sex, some are going to and continue to do so.
"We need to work on education to change their behaviour and the thinking around sex and the consequences of having sex at a young age, for young men as well as women."
Mr Street said adults set a "horrendous example" to young people, with high abortion rates in the other age groups.
He also said young people were getting mixed messages.
"As a society we are allowing sexual imagery to be used out of context all the time to promote products, to promote events.
"We have created a sexualised environment and then expect young people to ignore it and say: 'I will be good'."
Mr Street added: "I would like to see the Executive put as much effort into providing consistently high-quality sex education for young people, in and out of school, as they have put into improving clinical services."
Dr Nanette Milne, the Scottish Conservative health spokeswoman, said yesterday: "These figures are sadly the inevitable consequence of the increase in teenage pregnancies.
"Particularly worrying are the number of abortions - and therefore sexual activity - among under-16s."
Dr Milne said the figures showed that efforts to tackle underage sex were clearly not working and these needed to focus not only in schools but on parenting and society generally.
The SNP health spokeswoman, Shona Robison, said: "These figures are clearly worrying and highlight the importance of raising awareness among Scotland's youngsters."
