Practice of Contraception in Premarital and Marital Sexual Relationship among Myanmar Youth Migrants in Bang Bon District, Bangkok

Abstract

Migration becomes a global issue nowadays not only in economic but also in health aspects. Thailand is one of the major migrant receiving countries in South East Asia. More than 80% of migrant workers in Thailand are Myanmar and concentrated in the age group of 15-24 years. No matter where they settle, it is always true that the migrant youths suffer the health problems and inaccessibility more than the native youths. The objective of this study is to assess the sexual practice and contraceptive usage among Myanmar migrant youths in Bang Bon District in Bangkok. The study was cross-sectional descriptive study carried out by face to face interviewing to 413 migrant youths (15-24 years) between 15th February and 26th February 2010. The results revealed that 24.7% of migrant youths had premarital sexual relationship and 60.0% of both married and unmarried youths used contraception in their premarital relationship and family planning. However, their knowledge towards STIs and contraception was found to be poor. Overall findings indicated that though the migrant youths practice contraception widely, their level of knowledge was still low indicating their needs of health information. This study indicates that effective communication, information dissemination, sexual health counseling become crucial needs to the migrant youths who are vulnerable to sexual and reproductive health risks.