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Pregnancy intentions among female sex workers : recognising their rights and wants as mothers Duff, Putu; Shoveller, Jean; Feng, Cindy X.; Ogilvie, Gina; Montaner, Julio; Shannon, K.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To better understand the prevalence and correlates of pregnancy intentions among female sex workers (FSWs). DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis using data from an open prospective cohort of street and off-street FSWs in Vancouver, Canada, in partnership with local sex work and community agencies. METHODS: FSWs were recruited through outreach to street and off-street locations (e.g. massage parlours, micro-brothels) and completed interviewer-administered questionnaires and HIV/sexually transmitted infection testing. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate correlates of pregnancy intention, based on a 'yes' or 'no' response to the question "Are you planning on have any (any more) children in the future?". RESULTS: Of the 510 women, 394 (77.3%) reported prior pregnancy, with 140 (27.5%) of the entire sample reporting positive pregnancy intentions. Regarding ethnicity, 35.3% were Caucasian and 26.3% were Asian/visible minority, with no differences in pregnancy intention by ethnicity or HIV status; 38.4% reported Canadian Aboriginal ancestry. In our final multivariable model, servicing clients in formal indoor settings, inconsistent condom use by clients, younger age, and intimate partner violence (IPV) were associated with pregnancy intention. CONCLUSIONS: FSWs may have pregnancy intention levels similar to that of women in other occupations. Policy changes are needed to improve FSWs' access to integrated HIV and reproductive health services and harm reduction services, particularly for FSWs experiencing IPV.

Item Metadata

Title
Pregnancy intentions among female sex workers : recognising their rights and wants as mothers
Creator
Duff, Putu; Shoveller, Jean; Feng, Cindy X.; Ogilvie, Gina; Montaner, Julio; Shannon, K.
Contributor
British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS; British Columbia BC Centre for Disease Control
Date Issued
2015
Description
OBJECTIVE: To better understand the prevalence and correlates of pregnancy intentions among female sex workers (FSWs). DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis using data from an open prospective cohort of street and off-street FSWs in Vancouver, Canada, in partnership with local sex work and community agencies. METHODS: FSWs were recruited through outreach to street and off-street locations (e.g. massage parlours, micro-brothels) and completed interviewer-administered questionnaires and HIV/sexually transmitted infection testing. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate correlates of pregnancy intention, based on a 'yes' or 'no' response to the question "Are you planning on have any (any more) children in the future?". RESULTS: Of the 510 women, 394 (77.3%) reported prior pregnancy, with 140 (27.5%) of the entire sample reporting positive pregnancy intentions. Regarding ethnicity, 35.3% were Caucasian and 26.3% were Asian/visible minority, with no differences in pregnancy intention by ethnicity or HIV status; 38.4% reported Canadian Aboriginal ancestry. In our final multivariable model, servicing clients in formal indoor settings, inconsistent condom use by clients, younger age, and intimate partner violence (IPV) were associated with pregnancy intention. CONCLUSIONS: FSWs may have pregnancy intention levels similar to that of women in other occupations. Policy changes are needed to improve FSWs' access to integrated HIV and reproductive health services and harm reduction services, particularly for FSWs experiencing IPV.
Subject
Pregnancy intentions; reproductive health; contraception; sex work; HIV; fertility; reproductive
Geographic Location
Downtown-Eastside (Vancouver, B.C.)
Genre
Article
Type
Text
Language
eng
Date Available
2017-01-18
Provider
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
DOI
10.14288/1.0314915
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/2429/59299
Affiliation
Medicine, Faculty of; Other UBC; Non UBC; Medicine, Department of; Population and Public Health (SPPH), School of
Citation
Duff, P., Shoveller, J., Feng, C., Ogivie, G., Montaner, J., & Shannon, K., (2015). Pregnancy intentions among female sex workers: Recognising their rights and wants as mothers. The Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care / Faculty of Family Planning & Reproductive Health Care, Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists, 41(2), 102–108
Publisher DOI
10.1136/jfprhc-2012-100532
Peer Review Status
Reviewed
Scholarly Level
Faculty; Postdoctoral; Graduate
Rights URI
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
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Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International