Difficulty accessing contraceptives in a 2010–2022 prospective cohort of sex workers in Vancouver, Canada: intersectional influence of im/migration status and racialization

Abstract Background Overlapping and intersecting structural violence facing im/migrant sex workers has contributed to significant sexual health inequities, such as reduced odds of recent HIV testing, Sexually transmitted and blood borne illness treatment, and client condom refusal. Limited research has been conducted among im/migrant sex workers around access to contraception, particularly using an intersectional lens. The purpose of this paper is to examine the association between im/migration status and difficulty accessing non-barrier contraception among a prospective, community-based cohort of sex workers in Metro Vancouver, Canada, as well as whether this association is modified by racialization. Methods Semi-annual questionnaire data were drawn from AESHA (An Evaluation of Sex Workers Health Access), an open, community-based longitudinal cohort of women sex workers in Vancouver, Canada (January 2010 – August 2022). We assessed the association between im/migration status and difficulty accessing non-barrier contraceptives (last 6 months), using racialization (Asian, Black, Latinx, or other racialized identity) as an effect modifier. We developed a multivariable confounder model using modified Poisson regression with generalized estimating equations using sandwich robust standard error. Results Eight hundred and three participants were included, contributing a total of 5,133 observations over 12.8 years. The median number of visits per participant was four (range: 1–24). 32.6% of participants were im/migrants to Canada and 34.5% were Asian, Black, Latinx, or another racialized identity. In adjusted multivariable analysis exploring racialized identity as an effect modifier, participants who were both im/migrants and racialized faced the highest risk of experiencing difficulties accessing non-barrier contraceptives, when compared to non-im/migrant and non-racialized sex workers (Risk Ratio: 1.50; 95% CI: 0.99, 2.28). Conclusions One-quarter of all participants reported experiencing difficulty accessing non-barrier contraceptives at least once during the study period. Im/migrant women sex workers who are Asian, Black, Latinx, or another racialized identity faced a greater risk of experiencing difficulties accessing non-barrier contraceptives compared to non-racialized, non-im/migrant sex workers. These findings indicate a critical need towards investment in culturally safe, linguistically congruent, and sex work-friendly sexual health services to increase contraceptive access and reduce the potential for sexual health inequities.