Estimation of the adolescent pregnancy rate in Thailand 2008–2013: an application of capture-recapture method

Abstract

Background: Adolescent pregnancy is an important health and social issue that affects both individual and social well-being. However, deriving a national estimate is challenging in a country with multiple incomplete national databases especially the abortion statistics. The objective of this study was to estimate the adolescent pregnancy rates in Thailand using capture-recapture method. Methods: An application of capture-recapture method was conducted using two cross-sectional databases (i.e., the national birth registration and the Ministry of Public Health standard health databases) and one hospital-based data source from medical record reviews. A 3-sources capture-recapture with log-linear model was applied to estimate adolescent pregnancy rates. Results: A total number of 741,084, 290,922 and 25,478 records were respectively identified from the birth registrations, standard health databases and hospital-based survey data during 2008 to 2013. The estimated adolescent pregnancy rates /1000 adolescent women (95% confidence intervals (CI)) ranged from 56.3 (49.4, 66.9) to 70.3 (60.3, 76.6). The estimated rates were about 12-31% higher than adolescent birth rates reported by the Thailand Public Health Statistics. Conclusions: With the capture-recapture method, more accurate adolescent pregnancy rates were estimated. This method should be able to apply to any setting with similar context.

Implementation of Comprehensive Sexuality Education in Primary Schools in a Province of Northern Thailand

“…The Department of Health's goal for 2026 is for the live birth rate for girls aged 10-14 years not exceeding 0.5 per 1,000. 4 In Chiang Mai, a province of northern Thailand, the report in 2021 showed that the birth rate among pregnant adolescents aged 10-14 increased from 1.3 per 1,000 in 2020 to 1.6 per 1,000, 8 which is higher than the countrywide level. With increasing sexual activity occurring in primary school, there is a need to provide comprehensive sexuality education to these children.…”

“…7 Furthermore, the adolescent pregnancy rate in Thailand has become the second highest in Southeast Asia. 8 Over 50 out of every 1000 girls aged 15 to 19 give birth yearly. 4 Adolescent birth rate for girls aged 10-14 years in 2022 decreased from 0.9 per 1,000 in 2021 to 0.8 per 1,000, but it remains higher than the Department of Health's goal.…”

Change of contraceptive preference after the free-LARC program for Thai teenagers

“…Therefore, an appropriate contraceptive service is needed for all adolescents [ 10 ]. The problem of adolescent pregnancy is of concern in Thailand [ 11 ], and so the Thai government launched the adolescent pregnancy prevention program in 2014. This program aimed to increase effective contraception for adolescents by offering no cost LARC for Thai women aged under 20 years.…”

Effects of mobile health education on sexual and reproductive health information among female school-going adolescents of rural Thailand

“…8 Moreover, it has been observed through the evidence that the this number of adolescent pregnancy is more in the southern part of Thailand including Chumpon province, Krabi province, and Nakhon Si Thammarat province. 9 This problem of adolescent pregnancy has not yet been resolved. Moreover, proper information and knowledge for adolescents on sexual health literacy, early aged pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases (STD), childbearing information and care are highly needed.…”