title: Contraceptive needs of female sex workers in Kenya - a cross-sectional study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Female sex workers (FSWs) are thought to be at heightened risk for unintended pregnancy, although sexual and reproductive health interventions reaching these populations are typically focused on the increased risk of sexually transmitted infections. The objective of this study of FSWs in Kenya is to document patterns of contraceptive use and unmet need for contraception.
  
  
  METHODS
  This research surveys a large sample of female sex workers (N = 597) and also uses qualitative data from focus group discussions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The reported level of modern contraceptives in our setting was very high. However, like in other studies, we found a great reliance on male condoms, coupled with inconsistent use at last sex, which resulted in a higher potential for unmet need for contraception than the elevated levels of modern contraceptives might suggest. Dual method use was also frequently encountered in this population and the benefits of this practice were clearly outlined by focus group participants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that the promotion of dual methods among this population could help meet the broader reproductive health needs of FSWs. Furthermore, this research underscores the necessity of considering consistency of condom use when estimating the unmet or undermet contraceptive needs of this population.
authors.affiliation: MEASURE Evaluation Project, Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. beth_sutherland@unc.edu
authors.forename: Elizabeth G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Sutherland
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Alaii
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tsui
authors.forename: Stanley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Luchters
authors.forename: Jerry
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Okal
authors.forename: Nzioke
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: King'ola
authors.forename: Marleen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Temmerman
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Janowitz
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003267:Contraception / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D049168:Pregnancy, Unplanned; D011477:Sex Work; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female