Contraception and condom use among Bolivian female sex workers: relationship-specific associations between disease prevention and family planning behaviors

Systematic Review of Contraceptive Use Among Sex Workers in North America

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review the literature regarding contraceptive use by sex workers in North America and to understand factors that limit reproductive agency and affect contraceptive use and decision making.

DATA SOURCES

We searched PubMed, CINAHL, and Embase databases using the search terms "sex work(ers)," "transactional sex," "exchange sex," "prostitution," "contraception," "contraceptive agents," "birth control," "female," and "women."

STUDY SELECTION

Articles were eligible for inclusion in this review if they (a) reported quantitative or qualitative studies based in North America, (b) were written in English, (c) included sex workers (self-identified sex workers or engaged in sex work behavior) as the primary or secondary population of the study, (d) included a population assigned female sex at birth, (e) reported contraceptive outcomes for sex workers, and (f) were published in peer-reviewed journals. The initial search yielded 2,455 articles, and seven met the inclusion criteria.

DATA EXTRACTION

Two authors independently reviewed the articles and organized data in a table to capture study design, sample size and study population, study aims, and contraceptive use. We applied Connell's theory of gender and power as an analytic framework to further identify factors that limited reproductive agency.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Condoms were the most common method of contraceptive used across studies. The use of contraceptives varied by partner type (client vs. nonpaying intimate partners). Access to highly effective contraception was limited by perceived stigma, financial constraints, and substance use. Reproductive and harm reduction services that were co-located where women worked improved contraceptive use. Contraceptive use was affected by factors that limited reproductive agency, including stigma, substance use, intimate partner violence, and condom coercion.

CONCLUSION

The reliance of sex workers on partner-dependent contraception, such as condoms, combined with factors that limit reproductive agency over contraceptive use and decision making contribute to high potential for contraceptive failure and unintended pregnancy. More research is needed to understand the influence of different sexual partner types, pregnancy intention, and contraceptive decision making on the reproductive agency of sex workers.

Addressing broader reproductive health needs of female sex workers through integrated family planning/ HIV prevention services: A non-randomized trial of a health-services intervention designed to improve uptake of family planning services in Kenya

BACKGROUND

Despite considerable efforts to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI) among female sex workers (FSW), other sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs, such preventing unintended pregnancies, among FSW have received far less attention. Programs targeting FSW with comprehensive, accessible services are needed to address their broader SRH needs. This study tested the effectiveness of an intervention to increase dual contraceptive method use to prevent STIs, HIV and unintended pregnancy among FSW attending services in drop-in centers (DIC) in two cities in Kenya. The intervention included enhanced peer education, and routine screening for family planning (FP) needs plus expanded non-condom FP method availability in the DIC.

METHODS

We conducted a two-group, pre-/posttest, quasi-experimental study with 719 FSW (360 intervention group, 359 comparison group). Participants were interviewed at baseline and 6 months later to examine changes in condom and non-condom FP method use.

RESULTS

The intervention had a significant positive effect on non-condom, FP method use (OR = 1.38, 95%CI (1.04, 1.83)), but no effect on dual method use. Consistent condom use was reported to be high; however, many women also reported negotiating condom use with both paying and non-paying partners as difficult or very difficult. The strongest predictor of consistent condom use was partner type (paying versus non-paying/emotional); FSW reported both paying and non-paying partners also influence non-condom contraceptive use. Substantial numbers of FSW also reported experiencing sexual violence by both paying and non-paying partners.

CONCLUSIONS

Self-reported difficulties with consistent condom use and the sometimes dangerous conditions under which they work leave FSW vulnerable to unintended pregnancy STIs/HIV. Adding non-barrier FP methods to condoms is crucial to curb unintended pregnancies and their potential adverse health, social and economic consequences. Findings also highlight the need for additional strategies beyond condoms to reduce HIV and STI risk among FSW.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01957813.

Association between non-barrier modern contraceptive use and condomless sex among HIV-positive female sex workers in Mombasa, Kenya: A prospective cohort analysis

Background

As access to antiretroviral therapy in sub-Saharan Africa continues to expand, more women with HIV can expect to survive through their reproductive years. Modern contraceptives can help women choose the timing and spacing of childbearing. However, concerns remain that women with HIV who use non-barrier forms of modern contraception may engage in more condomless sex because of their decreased risk of unintended pregnancy. We examined whether non-barrier modern contraceptive use by HIV-positive female sex workers was associated with increased frequency of recent condomless sex, measured by detection of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in vaginal secretions.

Methods

Women who were HIV-positive and reported transactional sex were included in this analysis. Pregnant and post-menopausal follow-up time was excluded, as were visits at which women reported trying to get pregnant. At enrollment and quarterly follow-up visits, a pelvic speculum examination with collection of vaginal secretions was conducted for detection of PSA. In addition, women completed a structured face-to-face interview about their current contraceptive methods and sexual risk behavior at enrollment and monthly follow-up visits. Log-binomial generalized estimating equations regression was used to test for associations between non-barrier modern contraceptive use and detection of PSA in vaginal secretions and self-reported condomless sex. Data from October 2012 through September 2014 were included in this analysis.

Results

Overall, 314 women contributed 1,583 quarterly examination visits. There was minimal difference in PSA detection at contraceptive-exposed versus contraceptive-unexposed visits (adjusted relative risk [aRR] 1.28, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.93–1.76). There was a higher rate of self-reported condomless sex at visits where women reported using modern contraceptives, but this difference was not statistically significant after adjustment for potential confounding factors (aRR 1.59, 95% CI 0.98–2.58).

Conclusion

Non-barrier methods of modern contraception were not associated with increased risk of objective evidence of condomless sex.

Meeting the Reproductive Health Needs of Female Key Populations Affected by HIV in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Review of the Evidence

Female sex workers and other women at high risk of acquiring HIV have the right to sexual and reproductive health, including the right to determine the number and timing of pregnancies. We conducted a literature review to examine the data that exist regarding the family planning and reproductive health needs of female key populations, the underlying determinants of these populations' vulnerability to poor reproductive health outcomes, and the obstacles they face in accessing high-quality reproductive health services. Findings indicate that female key populations experience high rates of unmet need for family planning and safer conception services, unintended pregnancies, sexual violence, and abortion, and that they practice inconsistent condom use. Restrictive policy environments, stigma and discrimination in health care settings, gender inequality, and economic marginalization restrict access to services and undermine the ability to safely achieve reproductive intentions. We offer recommendations for structural, health system, community, and individual-level interventions that can mitigate the effects of these barriers and improve reproductive health outcomes.

Sex with sweethearts: Exploring factors associated with inconsistent condom use among unmarried female entertainment workers in Cambodia

BACKGROUND

Despite the success in promoting condom use in commercial relationships, condom use with regular, noncommercial partners remains low among key populations in Cambodia. This study explores factors associated inconsistent condom use with sweethearts among unmarried sexually active female entertainment workers (FEWs).

METHODS

In 2014, the probability proportional to size sampling method was used to randomly select 204 FEWs from entertainment venues in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap for face-to-face interviews. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine independent determinants of inconsistent condom use.

RESULTS

Of total, 31.4% of the respondents reported consistent condom use with sweethearts in the past three months. After adjustment, respondents who reported inconsistent condom use with sweethearts remained significantly less likely to report having received any form of sexual and reproductive health education (AOR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.22-0.99), but more likely to report having been tested for HIV in the past six months (AOR = 2.19, 95% CI = 1.03-4.65). They were significantly more likely to report having used higher amount of alcohol in the past three months (AOR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.01-1.99) and currently using a contraceptive method other than condoms such as pills (AOR = 4.46, 95% CI = 1.34-10.52) or other methods (AOR = 9.75, 95% CI = 2.07-9.86).

CONCLUSIONS

The rate of consistent condom use in romantic relationships among unmarried FEWs in this study is considerably low. The importance of consistent condom use with regular, non-commercial partners should be emphasized in the education sessions and materials, particularly for FEWs who use non-barrier contraceptive methods.

Non-barrier contraceptive use and relation to condom use behaviour by partner type among female sex workers in Andhra Pradesh, India

OBJECTIVE

The study assessed non-barrier contraceptive use among female sex workers (FSW) in Andhra Pradesh, India and relation to inconsistent condom use among commercial and non-commercial male sexual partners.

METHODS

FSW at least 18 years of age (n=2338) were recruited through respondent-driven sampling for an HIV risk survey. Analysis was restricted to women of childbearing age (n=2197). Crude and adjusted logistic regression models were used to assess non-barrier contraceptive use and relation to inconsistent condom use with husbands or regular male partners (i.e. non-clients), regular clients and occasional clients.

RESULTS

Non-barrier methods of contraception included contraceptive pills (3.8%) and sterilisation (68.4%). In logistic regression models adjusted for relevant demographics, FSW using contraceptive pills were more likely to report inconsistent condom use with a regular client (past week) [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2-4.0] and with an occasional client (past week) (AOR 2.6, 95% CI 1.6-5.3), as well as accepting more money for sex without a condom (past 30 days) (AOR 2.5, 95% CI 1.5-4.3). No significant associations were found between pill use and inconsistent condom use among women's non-client partners, potentially related to small sample sizes within these subgroups. Reporting sterilisation, which was more common among FSW who were older in age, was not associated with inconsistent condom use with client or non-client sexual partners.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings document potential unmet need for modern, spacing contraceptives (i.e. pill, intrauterine device), but also indicate the importance for family planning services, particularly those promoting modern contraceptive methods to be provided alongside HIV prevention among FSW in Andhra Pradesh, India.

"A Baby Was an Added Burden": Predictors and Consequences of Unintended Pregnancies for Female Sex Workers in Mombasa, Kenya: A Mixed-Methods Study

INTRODUCTION

Female sex workers (FSW) have high rates of unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections including HIV, and other adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes. Few services for FSWs include contraception. This mixed-methods study aimed to determine the rate, predictors and consequences of unintended pregnancy among FSWs in Mombasa, Kenya.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study of non-pregnant FSWs was conducted. Quantitative data were collected quarterly, including a structured questionnaire and testing for pregnancy and HIV. Predictors of unintended pregnancy were investigated using multivariate logistic regression. Qualitative data were gathered through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with FSWs who became pregnant during the study, and interviews with five key informants. These data were transcribed, translated and analysed thematically.

RESULTS

Four hundred women were enrolled, with 92% remaining in the cohort after one year. Fifty-seven percent reported using a modern contraceptive method (including condoms when used consistently). Over one-third (36%) of women were using condoms inconsistently without another method. Twenty-four percent had an unintended pregnancy during the study. Younger age, having an emotional partner and using traditional or no contraception, or condoms only, were independent predictors of unintended pregnancy. Women attributed pregnancy to forgetting to use contraception and being pressured not to by clients and emotional partners, as well as "bad luck". They described numerous negative consequences of unintended pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

Modern contraceptive uptake is surprisingly low in this at-risk population, which in turn has a high rate of unintended pregnancy. The latter may result in financial hardship, social stigma, risk of abandonment, or dangerous abortion practices. FSWs face considerable barriers to the adoption of dual method contraceptive use, including low levels of control in their emotional and commercial relationships. Reproductive health services need to be incorporated into programs for sexually transmitted infections and HIV, which address the socially-determined barriers to contraceptive use.

Kenyan female sex workers' use of female-controlled nonbarrier modern contraception: do they use condoms less consistently?

OBJECTIVES

To examine whether nonbarrier modern contraceptive use is associated with less consistent condom use among Kenyan female sex workers (FSWs).

STUDY DESIGN

Researchers recruited 579 FSWs using respondent-driven sampling. We conducted multivariate logistic regression to examine the association between consistent condom use and female-controlled nonbarrier modern contraceptive use.

RESULTS

A total of 98.8% reported using male condoms in the past month, and 64.6% reported using female-controlled nonbarrier modern contraception. In multivariate analysis, female-controlled nonbarrier modern contraceptive use was not associated with decreased condom use with clients or nonpaying partners.

CONCLUSION

Consistency of condom use is not compromised when FSWs use available female-controlled nonbarrier modern contraception.

IMPLICATIONS

FSWs should be encouraged to use condoms consistently, whether or not other methods are used simultaneously.

Understanding Sociocultural Factors Contributing to HIV Risk Among Ayoreo Bolivian Sex Workers

The Bolivian indigenous Ayoreo ethnic people are vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections and HIV. Ayoreo women who also work in sex trades belong to an extremely high-risk group, and prevention programs are not delivering effective outcomes for them. The aim of our study was to explore, describe, and understand behavioral and cultural patterns related to sexual and reproductive health in Ayoreo sex workers. A qualitative-ethnographic study was designed; data were collected through participant observation and in-depth interviews with sex workers and key informants. Two fundamental themes contributing to HIV risk for female Ayoreo sex workers in Bolivia emerged: reproductive/sexual freedom and sociocultural risk determinants. We concluded that the in-depth examination of the sexual-reproductive culture amongst the Ayoreo has provided useful information, which might contribute to the cultural adaptation and design of future policies and prevention programs for sexually transmitted infections and HIV in this group.