The UK has the highest teenage pregnancy rate in Europe

The Scottish Executive document has taken four years to prepare due to disagreement on the expert panel tasked with drawing up the strategy.

The document confirmed previously released figures from NHS Health Scotland that sexually transmitted infections are on the rise, with chlamydia rates among young Scots now at epidemic levels.

Teenage pregnancies are higher in the UK than anywhere else in Europe, and though the figures are declining, Scotland has more than 9,000 every year.

The strategy was delayed when, earlier this year, the Catholic Church's representative on the panel refused to sign up to the report.

The dispute only came to an end when ministers promised emergency contraception would not be provided in schools.

Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm made a statement to the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday and launched a wide-ranging consultation on the 100-plus recommendations produced in the panel's 92-page report.

I've got no money to go out and when my friends are all going out, I'm stuck in the house Michelle Barron

Among them is a "sex czar" to oversee the implementation of the strategy.

It was reported at the weekend that this person would be given the job of reducing the pregnancy rate among 13 to 15-year-olds by 20% by 2010.

The group's report, "Enhancing Sexual Wellbeing in Scotland", says access to abortion services should be equally good across the country.

"Lead clinicians should ensure there is access to appropriate termination of pregnancy services which meet national standards," the report states.

"As a first step, services should ensure access to termination within three weeks of initial consultation."

It also recommends that the Scottish Executive should make free condoms more widely available and prisoners should also receive them to reduce the risk of infection.

Parents' backing

The report suggests that sexual health centres could be located in schools, particularly in rural areas where there may be few alternatives.

However, it stresses that such a move should only be made with the backing of parents and the wider community.

Mr Chisholm announced the appointment of the panel - which included medical experts, children's campaigners, a teacher and a priest - last August.

"The challenge for us all now is to contribute our views in a measured and constructive way which will pave the way for improved sexual wellbeing for this and future generations," he said on Wednesday.

It is vital to recognise that sexual health is not just the absence of disease or dysfunction - it covers physical, mental, emotional and social well-being Patrick Harvie Green MSP

Michelle Barron, who had her daughter Bethany when she was 17-years-old, said being a mum so young has its drawbacks.

She said: "I wouldn't be without her but she really tires me out. If she's crying and being grumpy, it puts me on a downer and I feel really stressed out.

"I've got no money to go out and when my friends are all going out, I'm stuck in the house."

Patrick Harvie, Green MSP for Glasgow, welcomed the report.

Mr Harvie, who co-convenes the Scottish Parliament's Cross Party Group on Sexual Health, said: "The existence of a sexual health strategy is welcome and long overdue, and Susan Deacon is owed credit for initiating it.

"The Scottish Executive will do well to bring it into operation but it is vital to recognise however, that sexual health is not just the absence of disease or dysfunction - it covers physical, mental, emotional and social well-being."