Contraceptive Use Among Street Women in Ethiopia: A Closer Look

Street women in Ethiopia face immense challenges, including limited access to healthcare. These women, who earn their living on the streets by begging or sleeping rough, are often overlooked and marginalized. This study delved into how these women use modern contraceptives and what factors influence their choices. One of the key findings was that street women have low utilization rates of modern contraceptives. This could be due to their lack of knowledge about available health services. Additionally, their lifestyles make it difficult for them to access healthcare, including contraception. The study also explored various factors that might affect contraceptive use. Education level, access to information, and social support were among the factors highlighted. Interestingly, women with higher education or better access to information were more likely to use modern contraceptives. Furthermore, the study revealed that social support played a crucial role. Women with strong support networks were more likely to use contraceptives effectively. This could be because they had someone to guide them or encourage them to make informed decisions about their health. In contrast, women with little or no social support faced greater challenges. They often lacked the necessary information and encouragement to use contraceptives. This underscores the importance of community support in promoting health practices among vulnerable populations. The findings of this study could help policymakers and healthcare providers better understand the needs of street women. By tailoring health services to meet their specific challenges, more women might gain access to vital healthcare, including modern contraception.