International Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health. Volume 41, Number 4, December 2015

Abstract

CONTEXT: Little is known about the sexual and reproductive health care needs of female sex workers in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

METHODS: Survey data were collected from 354 hotel-based and 323 street-based female sex workers using a venue-based
stratified cluster sampling approach. In addition, in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 female sex workers
recruited from drop-in centers. We calculated unmet need for family planning and examined fertility desires, use of
condoms and other contraceptive methods, experiences with gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health service
needs, and preferences on where to receive services.

RESULTS: The prevalence of unmet need was 25% among hotel-based female sex workers and 36% among street-based female sex
workers. Almost all participants reported having used condoms in the past 30 days, and 44% of hotel-based sex workers
and 30% of street-based sex workers reported dual method use during that period. Condom use was inconsistent, however,
and condom breakage and nonuse for extra money were common. Many women reported experiencing gender-based violence.
Sexual and reproductive health services had been obtained by 64% of hotel-based and 89% of street-based sex workers in
the past six months; drop-in centers were their preferred site for receiving health services.

CONCLUSIONS: Female sex workers in Dhaka need family planning and other sexual and reproductive health services and
prefer receiving them from drop-in centers.

Author: Karen R. Katz, Misti McDowell, Mackenzie Green, Shamim Jahan, Laura Johnson, Mario Chen