Female sex workers experiences of using contraceptive methods: a qualitative study in Kenya
Abstract Background Female Sex Workers (FSWs) are predisposed to a broad range of social, sexual and reproductive health problems such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs)/HIV, unintended pregnancy, violence, sexual exploitation, stigma and discrimination. Female sex workers have unmet need for...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2018-06-01
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| Series: | BMC Women's Health |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12905-018-0601-5 |
| _version_ | 1818886454991912960 |
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| author | Rhoune Ochako Jerry Okal Steven Kimetu Ian Askew Marleen Temmerman |
| author_facet | Rhoune Ochako Jerry Okal Steven Kimetu Ian Askew Marleen Temmerman |
| author_sort | Rhoune Ochako |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Female Sex Workers (FSWs) are predisposed to a broad range of social, sexual and reproductive health problems such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs)/HIV, unintended pregnancy, violence, sexual exploitation, stigma and discrimination. Female sex workers have unmet need for contraceptives and require comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) prevention interventions. Existing programs pay little attention to the broad sexual and reproductive health and rights of these women and often focus on HIV and other STIs prevention, care and treatment while neglecting their reproductive health needs, including access to family planning methods. The aim of this study is, therefore, to explore the experiences of female sex workers with using existing contraceptive methods, assess individual and health facility-level barriers and document inter-partner relationship in the use of contraceptives. Methods We focus on women aged 15–49, who reported current sex work, defined as ‘providing sexual services in exchange for money or other material compensation as part of an individual’s livelihood.’ Results Findings reveal that while some FSWs know about modern contraceptives, others have limited knowledge or out rightly refuse to use contraceptives for fear of losing clients. The interaction with different client types act as a barrier but also provide an opportunity for contraceptive use among FSWs. Most FSWs recognize the importance of dual protection for HIV/STI and pregnancy prevention. However, myths and misconceptions, fear of being tested for HIV at the family planning clinic, wait time, and long queues at the clinics all act in combination to hinder uptake of contraceptives. Conclusions We recommend a targeted approach to address the contraceptive needs of FSWs to help remove barriers to contraceptive uptake. We also support the introduction of counseling services to provide information on the benefits of non-barrier contraceptive methods and thereby enhance dual use for both pregnancy and STI/HIV prevention. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-19T16:21:36Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a824074de4314372ae0a6b5e63f9fe7e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6874 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-19T16:21:36Z |
| publishDate | 2018-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Women's Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-a824074de4314372ae0a6b5e63f9fe7e2022-12-21T20:14:28ZengBMCBMC Women's Health1472-68742018-06-0118111010.1186/s12905-018-0601-5Female sex workers experiences of using contraceptive methods: a qualitative study in KenyaRhoune Ochako0Jerry Okal1Steven Kimetu2Ian Askew3Marleen Temmerman4School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent UniversityPopulation CouncilPopulation Studies and Research Institute, University of NairobiDepartment of Reproductive Health and Research, WHOInternational Centre for Reproductive Health, Ghent UniversityAbstract Background Female Sex Workers (FSWs) are predisposed to a broad range of social, sexual and reproductive health problems such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs)/HIV, unintended pregnancy, violence, sexual exploitation, stigma and discrimination. Female sex workers have unmet need for contraceptives and require comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) prevention interventions. Existing programs pay little attention to the broad sexual and reproductive health and rights of these women and often focus on HIV and other STIs prevention, care and treatment while neglecting their reproductive health needs, including access to family planning methods. The aim of this study is, therefore, to explore the experiences of female sex workers with using existing contraceptive methods, assess individual and health facility-level barriers and document inter-partner relationship in the use of contraceptives. Methods We focus on women aged 15–49, who reported current sex work, defined as ‘providing sexual services in exchange for money or other material compensation as part of an individual’s livelihood.’ Results Findings reveal that while some FSWs know about modern contraceptives, others have limited knowledge or out rightly refuse to use contraceptives for fear of losing clients. The interaction with different client types act as a barrier but also provide an opportunity for contraceptive use among FSWs. Most FSWs recognize the importance of dual protection for HIV/STI and pregnancy prevention. However, myths and misconceptions, fear of being tested for HIV at the family planning clinic, wait time, and long queues at the clinics all act in combination to hinder uptake of contraceptives. Conclusions We recommend a targeted approach to address the contraceptive needs of FSWs to help remove barriers to contraceptive uptake. We also support the introduction of counseling services to provide information on the benefits of non-barrier contraceptive methods and thereby enhance dual use for both pregnancy and STI/HIV prevention.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12905-018-0601-5FSWsCondom usePregnancy preventionContraceptionKenya |
| spellingShingle | Rhoune Ochako Jerry Okal Steven Kimetu Ian Askew Marleen Temmerman Female sex workers experiences of using contraceptive methods: a qualitative study in Kenya BMC Women's Health FSWs Condom use Pregnancy prevention Contraception Kenya |
| title | Female sex workers experiences of using contraceptive methods: a qualitative study in Kenya |
| title_full | Female sex workers experiences of using contraceptive methods: a qualitative study in Kenya |
| title_fullStr | Female sex workers experiences of using contraceptive methods: a qualitative study in Kenya |
| title_full_unstemmed | Female sex workers experiences of using contraceptive methods: a qualitative study in Kenya |
| title_short | Female sex workers experiences of using contraceptive methods: a qualitative study in Kenya |
| title_sort | female sex workers experiences of using contraceptive methods a qualitative study in kenya |
| topic | FSWs Condom use Pregnancy prevention Contraception Kenya |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12905-018-0601-5 |
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