Dr. Bunyarit Sukrat, the Director of the Bureau of Reproductive Health, shared some candid insights. While teenage pregnancy rates in Thailand show a promising downward trend, the challenge is far from over. The latest reproductive health report for adolescents and youth from 2022 reveals that 42,457 girls aged 10-19 gave birth. Specifically, 1,569 were in the 10-14 age group, clocking a rate of 0.8 per 1,000 within this age range. Meanwhile, 40,888 births were recorded in the 15-19 age group, with a birth rate of 21.0 per 1,000. A concerning 3,181 repeat births occurred among women under 20, accounting for 7.5% of teen mothers aged 10-19 who experienced another pregnancy.
The Ministry of Public Health has set ambitious targets to lower these rates. They aim to reduce the birth rate among girls aged 10-14 to no more than 0.5 per 1,000, and for those 15-19, to no more than 15.0 per 1,000 by 2027. A core focus includes ensuring adolescents have access to accurate contraceptive information and understanding the health impacts on both themselves and their newborns. The Ministry also prioritizes supporting quality births for ready families and promoting contraception for those not yet prepared for parenthood to enhance the overall quality of life for Thai citizens.
In line with this, the government has rolled out comprehensive guidelines to improve public access to contraception. The National Health Security Office (NHSO) offers family planning services, which include temporary methods like birth control pills, emergency contraceptives, injectables, implants, and intrauterine devices (IUDs), as well as permanent solutions like sterilization for both women and men. All these are provided free of charge for Thai citizens under the healthcare system. Moreover, condoms and birth control pills are available for free through the Paotang application.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Sukanya Sripho, Secretary-General of the Planned Parenthood Association of Thailand (PPAT), emphasized the importance of education in contraception and teenage pregnancy prevention as part of future planning for the youth. During this critical phase of forming relationships, access to comprehensive and accurate contraceptive knowledge is vital. It helps in understanding the various contraceptive methods for both genders, their effectiveness, and their role in preventing unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.
The Planned Parenthood Association has been a steadfast advocate, continuously campaigning to support family planning and reduce unintended teenage pregnancies. Their goal is clear: ensuring every birth is of the highest quality.
On the global front, Mr. Bradley Williams, Managing Director of Bayer Thai Co., Ltd., highlighted the staggering figures. Approximately 21 million young people aged 15-19 become pregnant in low- and middle-income countries each year. Many of these cases result in abortions or births, with about 12.8 million adolescents aged 15-19 and over 500,000 aged 10-14 giving birth annually. As a pioneer in life sciences and women’s healthcare, Bayer is convinced that effective family planning and access to reproductive health services promote gender equality, economic opportunities, alleviate poverty, and reduce social issues, aligning with the United Nations SDGs.
Dr. Paneeya Sutabutra, Country Medical Director of Bayer Thai Co., Ltd., emphasized the necessity for youth to seek reliable information on contraception. Encouragement to consult pharmacists and healthcare professionals ensures informed decisions. Bayer’s “Bayer For Her” campaign strives to foster open discussions among women about health issues and to seek expert advice, seizing crucial life opportunities.
To mark World Contraception Day on September 26, 2024, the campaign will roll out several engaging initiatives under the theme Empowering Choices, One Decision at a Time:
- An educational talk featuring esteemed obstetricians like Dr. Olarik Musigavong and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Manopchai Thamkhantho, alongside youth representative Haeun Hana, who will share experiences. This will be streamed live on social media platforms of clubneeladykhum and PPAT.
- Informative infographics on effective contraception will be shared across social media platforms of clubneeladykhum and PPAT throughout September.
- Guidance for pharmacists on hormonal contraceptives to ensure they have accurate information for counseling and recommending safe contraceptive use at pharmacies.
The Bureau of Reproductive Health and Bayer Thai have also been actively educating through the “Young Love” project in universities and factories since 2014, with increasing participation each year. This year, they anticipate over 3,000 participants across five events, aimed at spreading knowledge about appropriate contraception. Additionally, six workshops on family planning technology and women’s health are scheduled for public health personnel, expecting over 700 participants.
To reach the youth more effectively, an online communication channel, Line@Young Love, has been established. Bayer, alongside the Bureau of Reproductive Health, Department of Health, and the Planned Parenthood Association, continues to champion the “World Contraception Day” campaign for its 17th year, striving to provide vital information on contraception for informed choices, reduce unintended pregnancies, and uphold the rights of the younger generation to a better quality of life.
#WCD2024 #WorldContraceptionDay #EmpoweringChoices #OneDecisionAtATime #คลับนี้เลดี้คุม #วันคุมกำเนิดโลก
References:
- Department of Health
- Sully EA et al., “Adding It Up: Investing in Sexual and Reproductive Health 2019” New York: Guttmacher Institute, 2020. Available at: Guttmacher Institute
- United Nations Population Fund. State of World Population 2024. Interwoven Lives. Threads of Hope. Available at: UNFPA
COR-UN-WHC-TH-0037-1 (09/2024)
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