Attitudes and experiences regarding induced abortion among female sex workers, Savannakhet Province, Laos.
OBJECTIVE
Female sex workers (FSWs) are at risk of unintended pregnancies and induced abortions (IAs). This study aimed to describe attitudes towards and experiences of IA among FSWs in Laos.


METHODS
258 FSWs were interviewed in Kaysone Phomvihan, Laos. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to analyse the data.


RESULTS
Overall, 24% of the respondents reported experience of IA. Fifteen percent reported experience of unintended pregnancy after entering sex work, whereof all had ended in IA. Thirty-six percent had self-induced the last IA and 64% were carried out in private clinics. The main reasons for having IAs were paternity denial and lack of financial and social support. A majority agreed or strongly agreed that IA should not be legal in Laos and that women who undergo IA are immoral, but also that IA is the only option a FSW has when experiencing an unintended pregnancy. A positive attitude towards IA was associated with longer duration of sex work and being unmarried.


CONCLUSION
IAs were common. Respondents' attitudes and practices reflected limited options when experiencing an unintended pregnancy, and were influenced by negative social perceptions. Interventions targeting FSWs should raise awareness of IA and post-abortion care, and promote dual contraceptive use with highly effective contraceptives.
['Cleeve|Amanda|A|', 'Phrasisombath|Ketkesone|K|', 'Sychareun|Vanphanom|V|', 'Faxelid|Elisabeth|E|']
D000028:Abortion, Induced D000293:Adolescent D000328:Adult D001290:Attitude D005260:Female D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand D006801:Humans D007812:Laos D016015:Logistic Models D011247:Pregnancy D049168:Pregnancy, Unplanned D060386:Sex Workers D012938:Social Perception D014930:Women D055815:Young Adult
Attitude Experience Induced abortion Female sex worker Savannakhet Laos