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

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Africa; Dual protection; Family planning; Unintended pregnancy; Women who sell sex.