Utilization of contraception and abortion and its relationship to HIV infection among female sex workers in Tashkent, Uzbekistan

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe reported contraceptive and abortion utilization and their relationship to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among female sex workers (FSW) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. METHODS: For this cross-sectional study, women were recruited through outreach workers affiliated with Istiqbolli Avlod. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire and underwent HIV testing. RESULTS: Of 448 participants, the majority (86.2%, n=386) used contraception; 39.6% reported inconsistent use. Methods most frequently utilized were condoms (50.9%) and intrauterine devices (16.1%). One fourth (24.3%, n=109) reported multiple (>or=3) prior abortions. Inconsistent contraceptive users were more likely to be infected with HIV (AOR=2.72, 95% CI=1.19-6.22), but such infection was not related to a specific contraceptive method, including condoms, or utilization of abortion. CONCLUSIONS: Inconsistent contraceptive use is common and may be a predictor of HIV infection among Tashkent FSW. Factors preventing consistent contraceptive use may be related to HIV risk and require further study in this population.