The need for family planning and safe abortion services among women sex workers seeking STI care in Cambodia

Reprod Health Matters. 2003 May;11(21):88-95. doi: 10.1016/s0968-8080(03)02163-3.

Abstract

In Cambodia, clinics established for the prevention and management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in women sex workers do not address other reproductive health services. The aim of this study was to assess the need for more comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services for women sex workers in Cambodia. In January 2000, relevant documents were reviewed, interviews with key informants carried out and group interviews with women sex workers conducted. Medical records from women sex workers were also reviewed and some data collected prospectively in one government STI clinic. Interviews with the women and data from the government clinic indicated that excluding condoms, a very low proportion of women sex workers were currently using a modern contraceptive method--5% of 38 women and 1.6% of 632 women, respectively. Induced abortion was widely used but was perceived to be risky and costly. Data from a mobile team intervention and the government clinic respectively showed that 25.5% (n = 1744) and 21.9% (n = 588) of women sex workers reported at least one previous induced abortion. These findings reveal the need for accessible contraception and safe abortion services among sex workers in Cambodia, and raise the issue of the reproductive rights and reproductive health needs of women sex workers in general.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Legal* / methods
  • Abortion, Legal* / statistics & numerical data
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cambodia
  • Contraception Behavior / psychology
  • Contraception Behavior / statistics & numerical data
  • Family Planning Services / organization & administration*
  • Female
  • Health Services Needs and Demand / organization & administration*
  • Health Services Research
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / psychology
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / statistics & numerical data
  • Reproductive Health Services / organization & administration*
  • Sex Work* / psychology
  • Sex Work* / statistics & numerical data
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Women's Rights