Title
"When I first saw a condom, I was frightened": A qualitative study of sexual behavior, love and life of young cross-border migrants in urban Chiang Mai, Thailand
Date Issued
01 August 2017
Access level
open access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
Tangmunkongvorakul A.
Musumari P.M.
Srithanaviboonchai K.
Manoyos V.
Techasrivichien T.
Ono-Kihara M.
Kihara M.
Chariyalertsak S.
Kyoto University School of Public Health
Publisher(s)
Public Library of Science
Abstract
Background: Many young migrant workers move across the border to Chiang Mai, a major city in Northern Thailand, in search of work opportunities. This study describes their sexual behavior, lifestyles, relationships and experiences with youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. Methods: This is the qualitative arm of a mixed methods study using focus group discussions (FGDs) among young MWs aged 15–24 years in urban Chiang Mai. We conducted 6 FGDs with 84 participants (43 males, 41 females) organized in groups of 10–15 people, including 3 groups of males, 2 groups of females, and 1 group of both males and females. Results: We found that the lack of parental control, pressure to assimilate into Thai society, access to social media and modern communication technologies, and limited knowledge and access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services interplayed to shape lifestyle and sexual behaviors, including low condom use among young migrants. Conclusion: The present study helped discern the vulnerability of young migrants to adverse SRH outcomes. This particular group of youth needs urgent intervention to improve their knowledge on SRH and access to a youth-friendly clinic to help them personalize risk of HIV and other adverse SRH outcomes.
Volume
12
Issue
8
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Epidemiología
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-85027523984
PubMed ID
Source
PLoS ONE
ISSN of the container
19326203
Sponsor(s)
This study was part of the “AIDS Prevention and Unplanned Pregnancy in Young Ethnic Group in Chiang Mai” program, supported by the Chiang Mai University Center of Excellence in HIV/AIDS Research and the National Research University Project under Thailand's Office of the Higher Education Commission. We thank all internal and external staff at Chiang Mai University for supporting us until the study was completed, and all participants for their cooperation in providing the information for this study. We also thank Kyoto University’s “Strategic Young Researcher Overseas Visit Program for Accelerating Brain Circulation Program” for supporting the collaboration between Kyoto University and the Research Institute for Health Sciences, Chiang Mai University.
Sources of information: Directorio de Producción Científica Scopus