Contraceptive Use Among Women Who Inject Drugs: Motivators, Barriers, and Unmet Needs

Abstract

We explored contraceptive use among 45 women who inject drugs in coastal Kenya. Overall, 29% were using contraceptives, motivated by a fear of unplanned pregnancy, a desire to shield children from the difficulties of drug use, the need to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, encouragement from health providers and outreach workers, or because they had achieved the desired number of children. However, 69% were not using contraceptives. Barriers to use included current pregnancy intentions, perceived infertility due to drug-induced amenorrhea, side effects, intimate partners’ influence, lack of information, complex health care appointments, and transportation costs. Rights-based integration of sexual and reproductive health into harm reduction services for women who inject drugs is required to minimize unmet contraception needs.

Keywords:

• Africa
• drug abuse and dependence
• contraception
• reproductive health

Disclosure statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Additional information

Funding

The authors thank all study participants. This work was funded by the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, through its Innovation Fund.