title: Attitudes and experiences regarding induced abortion among female sex workers, Savannakhet Province, Laos.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Female sex workers (FSWs) are at risk of unintended pregnancies and induced abortions (IAs). This study aimed to describe attitudes towards and experiences of IA among FSWs in Laos.
  
  
  METHODS
  258 FSWs were interviewed in Kaysone Phomvihan, Laos. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to analyse the data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 24% of the respondents reported experience of IA. Fifteen percent reported experience of unintended pregnancy after entering sex work, whereof all had ended in IA. Thirty-six percent had self-induced the last IA and 64% were carried out in private clinics. The main reasons for having IAs were paternity denial and lack of financial and social support. A majority agreed or strongly agreed that IA should not be legal in Laos and that women who undergo IA are immoral, but also that IA is the only option a FSW has when experiencing an unintended pregnancy. A positive attitude towards IA was associated with longer duration of sex work and being unmarried.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IAs were common. Respondents' attitudes and practices reflected limited options when experiencing an unintended pregnancy, and were influenced by negative social perceptions. Interventions targeting FSWs should raise awareness of IA and post-abortion care, and promote dual contraceptive use with highly effective contraceptives.
authors.affiliation: Department of Women's and Children's Health, Division of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 76, Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: amanda.cleeve@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cleeve
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Postgraduate Study, University of Health Sciences, Vientiane, Laos.
authors.forename: Ketkesone
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Phrasisombath
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Postgraduate Study, University of Health Sciences, Vientiane, Laos.
authors.forename: Vanphanom
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sychareun
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Sciences, Division of Global Health (IHCAR), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Faxelid
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007812:Laos; D016015:Logistic Models; D011247:Pregnancy; D049168:Pregnancy, Unplanned; D060386:Sex Workers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012938:Social Perception; D014930:Women; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Attitude; Experience; Female sex worker; Induced abortion; Laos; Savannakhet