Reproductive health and desire for children among young female sex workers in Bangladesh brothels.

Globally, reproductive health research among female sex workers (FSWs) often focuses on pregnancy prevention, but many women who sell sex aspire to have children in the future. In Bangladesh, where early marriage and parenthood is the norm, we examine reproductive histories and childbearing desires of young women who sell sex in brothels. We interviewed 1061 FSWs aged 18 to 24 in eight brothels in three Bangladesh divisions. Interviewers elicited information on sociodemographic characteristics, contraceptive use, pregnancy history, and childbearing desire. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to examine correlates of wanting to have a child within 24 months.