Contraceptive Use, Prevalence, and Predictors of Pregnancy Planning among Female Sex Workers in Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study

Justine Bukenya, Makerere University
Rhoda Wanyenze, Makerere University
Geraldine Barrett, Institute for Women’s Health, University College London, UK
Hall Hall, Institute for Women’s Health, University College London
Fredrick Makumbi, Makerere University
David Guwatudde, Makerere University

Female Sex Workers (FSWs) are at high risk of unplanned pregnancies but there is scanty information in Uganda. This study investigated contraceptive use, prevalence, and predictors of pregnancy planning among FSWs in Uganda. We interviewed FSWs attending most at risk populations initiative (MARPI) clinics. A multinomial logistic regression model was used to identify predictors of pregnancy planning, assessed using the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy (LMUP). Of the 819 FSWs, only 11.0% had planned pregnancies, 21.0 % had ever been raped and 40.7% of these accessed emergency contraception post-rape and 58.0% had dual contraception. Unplanned pregnancy was associated with having non-emotional partner, lack of social support, being raped and abuse of substances. Compared to women in the general population, pregnancy planning was low among FSWs amidst modest use of dual contraceptive. There is an urgent need to promote dual contraception among FSWs to prevent unplanned pregnancies especially with non-emotional partners, drug users, and post-rape