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Use of emergency contraceptive pills among female sex workers in Swaziland
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  1. Eileen A Yam1,
  2. Zandile Mnisi2,
  3. Sibusiso Maziya3,
  4. Caitlin Kennedy4,
  5. Stefan Baral5
  1. 1Associate, Population Council, Washington, DC, USA
  2. 2HIV/STI Manager, Swaziland National AIDS Programme, Ministry of Health, Mbabane, Swaziland
  3. 3Associate, The Rock of Hope-Lidvwala Lelitsemba, Manzini, Swaziland
  4. 4Assistant Professor, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
  5. 5Assistant Scientist, Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
  1. Correspondence to Dr Eileen A Yam, 4301 Connecticut Ave NW Ste 280, Population Council, Washington, DC 20008, USA; eyam{at}popcouncil.org

Abstract

Objectives Female sex workers (FSW) often have unprotected sex. Emergency contraceptive pills (ECP) are an important back-up method to prevent unwanted pregnancy among FSW. We examine ECP use among FSW in Swaziland.

Methods Using data from a 2011 respondent-driven sampling survey of 325 Swazi FSW, we explored the association between individual characteristics and ever having used ECP.

Results In weighted analyses, 27.5% of FSW had ever used ECP. Most (77.8%) had ever been pregnant, among whom 48.7% had had an unwanted pregnancy and 11.7% had had an abortion. Nearly half (47.5%) had experienced condom failure in the past month. Significant independent correlates of ECP use were younger age, higher education, higher income, having two or more children, and never having been married.

Conclusions FSW who are older or of lower socioeconomic status may not have adequate access to ECP. By better addressing these women's family planning needs, the dual goals of preventing unwanted pregnancy and preventing vertical transmission of HIV can be achieved.

  • emergency contraception
  • human immunodeficiency virus
  • genitourinary medicine
  • sex workers

https://doi.org/10.1136/jfprhc-2012-100527

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      BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health 2014; 40 79-79 Published Online First: 19 Mar 2014. doi: 10.1136/jfprhc-2014-100920