Accessibility to reproductive health rights among adolescents in three provinces of Thailand

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess the situation of accessibility to reproductive health rights, and the conditional factors of accessibility to such rights of adolescents. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative method was used to extract information from 80 informants. Data were collected through in-depth interview, focus group discussion, observation, data recording, audio recording and the review of related documents during August to October 2016. Findings Adolescents had not accessed to their right on informing of their decision making; information and education; health; confidentiality and privacy; and treating with equity and no discrimination. Also, the conditional factors influenced to the accessibility on such rights were lacking of knowledge on reproductive health and negative attitude toward this matter among the people concerned. There were still no regulations or policies on the performance of authority agencies and the factors on social dimensions, traditions, customs, sexual culture and religion. Originality/value The findings from this study would be a help to promote the accessibility for adolescents to reproductive health rights under the Prevention and Solution of Adolescent Pregnancy Problem Act, B.E. 2559 (2016) specific on standard criteria reproductive health services from hospitals and the involvement from Ministry of Education for the development of sex life skill and reproductive health for the teacher.

Youths’ Perceptions Regarding Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services

“…17 Additionally, Thai adolescents had little knowledge of their rights to SRH services, which affected their decisions to access such services. 32,33 Youths also complained that the access to services was rather difficult because of the complex procedures and the lack of a pre-service appointment system. This finding concurs with other studies that reported adolescents' difficulty in obtaining services Vol.…”

“…19,27 SRH services were available from Monday to Friday from 8 am to 4 pm, and usually closed on Saturdays and Sundays, which youths perceived to interfere with their school time. 17,19,33 Consequently, they could not receive the services because they needed to seek teachers' official permission. They were available to obtain services in the evening after work but sub-district hospitals were closed.…”

“…Most youths obtained services for general health problems but were less likely to access SRH services. 17,18,28,32 To date, only some issues related to youths' access to SRH services have been identified, such as not knowing about service information, 17,33 being anxious about providers' reactions, and not having time to obtain services. 17,28,32 Thus, Thailand still has insufficient information for a comprehensive understanding of youths' perceptions regarding access to SRH services, indicating that rich information is required.…”