The present study was a cross-sectional study that estimated the prevalence of contraceptive methods and investigated whether abortion rates influence contraceptive behavior among IDU women in St Petersburg, Russia.
Researchers applied a self-administered behavior questionnaire in the last three months to a convenient sample of IDU women.
Of eighty sexually active participants, 67% had had an abortion. No participant reported using hormonal contraceptives or IUDs. The only valid method of contraception used was condoms, which was written by half of the participants. Twenty-two percent of participants reported consistent condom and were no more likely among those who had an abortion. Condom use was significantly associated with having multiple or casual sex partners, having an IDU sex partner, and a negative attitude toward condoms. Abortions were less likely among those who had numerous or casual sex partners.
The study concluded that despite the high prevalence of abortions among IDU women, none reported the use of hormonal contraception or IUDs. Having had an abortion was not associated with a greater likelihood of using condoms. Participants mostly used condoms with casual or multiple sex partners, suggesting that consumers used condoms mainly to prevent HIV/sexually transmitted infection transmission and not to prevent pregnancy.
Reference: https://srh.bmj.com/content/37/3/158
