Contraception and Condom Use Among Bolivian Female Sex Workers: Relationship-Specific Associations Between Disease Prevention and Family Planning Behaviors

Abstract

We examined data from a clinic-based survey of 1,222 Bolivian female sex workers (FSWs) to assess whether use of nonbarrier modern contraception is associated with less consistent condom use with clients and noncommercial partners. Women who were using nonbarrier modern contraception were less likely than nonusers to consistently use condoms with noncommercial partners (AOR 0.393, 95% CI 0.203–0.759, p = .005). With clients, this inverse association did not hold. Public health professionals must consider both disease prevention and pregnancy prevention needs in this vulnerable population, and messages should be tailored to encourage dual method use with all partners.

Acknowledgments

This study was made possible by the generous support of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. In addition, we thank the following contributors to this project: Michele Decker, Karina Eguez, Katerin Flores, Amy Grossman, Angélica Mendia, Carolina Montes, Francisco Paz, Roxana Sanzetenea, Karina Ustariz, Karen Vasquez, Sdenka Yañez, Monica Ginorás, Dorka Solano, Nayrha Villazón, and the Centro Departamental de Vigilancia y Referencia de ITS/VIH/SIDA (CDVIR) staff in El Alto, Cochabamba, La Paz, Oruro, Santa Cruz, and Sucre.

Notes

1. Throughout this article, we use the term nonbarrier modern contraceptive methods to refer to modern methods other than condoms (i.e., Pill, IUD, injectable, sterilization, implants).