The study assessed non-barrier contraceptive use among FSW and relation to inconsistent condom use among commercial and non-commercial male sexual partners.

Researchers recruited 2338 FSW through respondent-driven sampling for an HIV risk survey. The analysis was restricted to 2197 women of childbearing age. Researchers used crude and adjusted logistic regression models to assess non-barrier contraceptive use related to inconsistent condom use with husbands or regular male partners, regular clients, and occasional clients.

FSW using contraceptive pills were more likely to report inconsistent condom use with a regular client (past week) and with an occasional client (past week), as well as accepting more money for sex without a condom (past 30 days). Researchers found no significant associations between pill use and inconsistent condom use among women’s non-client partners, potentially related to small sample sizes within these subgroups. Reporting sterilization, which was more common among FSW who were older, was not associated with inconsistent condom use with the client or non-client sexual partners.

Findings document the potential unmet need for modern, spacing contraceptives. They indicate the importance of family planning services, particularly those promoting modern contraceptive methods alongside HIV prevention among FSW in Andhra Pradesh, India.

Reference: https://srh.bmj.com/content/43/1/60

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