Understanding the Broader Sexual and Reproductive Health Needs of Female Sex Workers in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Bibliographic Data

ID19544906
AuthorsKaren Katz (0000-0002-6724-3993, Family Health International 360), Karen R Katz, Misti McDowell, Mackenzie Green (0000-0002-5322-1558), Shamim Jahan, Laura Johnson (0000-0002-1882-8186), Mario Chen (0000-0002-2434-2182)
Year2015
Volume41
Issue04
Pages182-190
Publication date2015-12-01
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1944-0391 • E-ISSN: 1944-0405
PublisherGuttmacher Institute (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1363/4118215
PMID26871726
OpenAlexW2330448821
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited4

CONTEXT: Little is known about the sexual and reproductive health care needs of female sex workers in Dhaka, Bangladesh. METHODS: Survey data were collected from 354 hotel-based and 323 street-based female sex workers using a venue-based stratified cluster sampling approach. In addition, in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 female sex workers recruited from drop-in centers. We calculated unmet need for family planning and examined fertility desires, use of condoms and other contraceptive methods, experiences with gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health service needs, and preferences on where to receive services. RESULTS: The prevalence of unmet need was 25% among hotel-based female sex workers and 36% among street-based female sex workers. Almost all participants reported having used condoms in the past 30 days, and 44% of hotel-based sex workers and 30% of street-based sex workers reported dual method use during that period. Condom use was inconsistent, however, and condom breakage and nonuse for extra money were common. Many women reported experiencing gender-based violence. Sexual and reproductive health services had been obtained by 64% of hotel-based and 89% of street-based sex workers in the past six months; drop-in centers were their preferred site for receiving health services. CONCLUSIONS: Female sex workers in Dhaka need family planning and other sexual and reproductive health services and prefer receiving them from drop-in centers

Casual · Cluster sampling · Condom · Environmental health · Family medicine · Family planning · Population · Reproductive health · Research methodology · Sex work · Sex workers · Sociology · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Demography · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Sex work and related issues

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