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Cited by 36Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive HealthAsian Geopolitics and EthnographyAdolescent Health and Behaviors

Reproductive health and quality of life of young Burmese refugees in Thailand

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Benner, Marie T, Townsend, Joy, Kaloi, Wiphan, Htwe, Kyi, Naranichakul, Nantarat, Hunnangkul, Saowalak, Carrara, Verena I, Sondorp, Egbert·2010·Conflict and Health
DOI 10.1186/1752-1505-4-5PMC PMC2907534
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Of the 140,000 Burmese* refugees living in camps in Thailand, 30% are youths aged 15-24. Health services in these camps do not specifically target young people and their problems and needs are poorly understood. This study aimed to assess their reproductive health issues and quality of life, and identifies appropriate service needs. METHODS: We used a stratified two-stage random sample questionnaire survey of 397 young people 15-24 years from 5,183 households, and 19 semi-structured qualitative interviews to assess and explore health and quality of life issues. RESULTS: The young people in the camps had very limited knowledge of reproductive health issues; only about one in five correctly answered at least one question on reproductive health. They were clear that they wanted more reproductive health education and services, to be provided by health workers rather than parents or teachers who were not able to give them the information they needed. Marital status was associated with sexual health knowledge; having relevant knowledge of reproductive health was up to six times higher in married compared to unmarried youth, after adjusting for socio-economic and demographic factors. Although condom use was considered important, in practice a large proportion of respondents felt too embarrassed to use them. There was a contradiction between moral views and actual behaviour; more than half believed they should remain virgins until marriage, while over half of the youth experienced sex before marriage. Two thirds of women were married before the age of 18, but two third felt they did not marry at the right age. Forced sex was considered acceptable by one in three youth. The youth considered their quality of life to be poor and limited due to confinement in the camps, the limited work opportunities, the aid dependency, the unclear future and the boredom and unhappiness they face. CONCLUSIONS: The long conflict in Myanmar and the resultant long stay in refugee camps over decades affect the wellbeing of these young people. Lack of sexual health education and relevant services, and their concerns for their future are particular problems, which need to be addressed. Issues of education, vocational training and job possibilities also need to be considered.*Burmese is used for all ethnic groups.

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  • The Royal Thai Ministry of Interior' restriction of education beyond camp graduation, the sparsity of job opportunities, traditional cultural norms that restrict knowledge, boredom and a lack of future prospects, are all likely contributing factors.

    “The Royal Thai Ministry of Interior’ restriction of education beyond camp graduation, the sparsity of job opportunities, traditional cultural norms that restrict knowledge, boredom and a lack of future prospects, are all likely contributing factors (Benner et al., 2010).”

    From Mother, child and adolescent health outcomes in two long-term refugee camp settings at the Thai-Myanmar border 2000–2018: a retrospective analysis (2024) · cites this paper as Benner et al., 2010

    The Methods (Study Area) say schooling is limited to ten years and jobs and university access are very limited. The Results (Quality of Life) describe boredom and an unclear future, while the Discussion links limited reproductive-health information to schooling and taboos. Our copy does not identify a Royal Thai Ministry of Interior restriction as the cause of limited education beyond camp schooling. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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  • A survey conducted with 15-24 year olds a decade earlier (2005-6) in Mae Ra Ma Luang and Mae La Oon refugee camps reported young people had very limited knowledge of reproductive health issues, with only about one in five correctly answering at least one question on reproductive health.

    “This is especially important since a survey conducted with 15–24 year olds a decade earlier (2005–6) in Mae Ra Ma Luang and Mae La Oon refugee camps, approximately 300 km north of MLA, reported young people had very limited knowledge of reproductive health issues, with only about one in five correctly answering at least one question on reproductive health [27].”

    From Family planning knowledge, attitudes and practices in refugee and migrant pregnant and post-partum women on the Thailand-Myanmar border – a mixed methods study (2016) · cites this paper as [27]

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3 of the 28 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Lowicki J Untapped Potential: Adolescents affected by armed Conflict. A review of Programs and Policies 2000 New York: Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children11081326
  2. Benner MT Muangsookjaroeun A Sondorp E Townsend J Neglect of Refugee participation Forced Migration Review 2008 30 25

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Authors
Benner, M. T., Townsend, J., Kaloi, W., Htwe, K., Naranichakul, N., Hunnangkul, S., Carrara, V. I., & Sondorp, E.
Affiliations
  • London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (GB)
  • Siriraj Hospital (TH)
  • Shoklo Malaria Research Unit (TH)
Corresponding author
Benner, Marie T
ORCID
Venue
Conflict and Health
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2010-03-25
Volume
4
Issue
1
Pages
5-5
ISSN
1752-1505 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1186/1752-1505-4-5
PMC
PMC2907534
OpenAlex
W2120250014
Cited by
36
References
28
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 1
FWCI
2.85
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Conflict and Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • LSHTM Research Online (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine) (acceptedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Greater South Information System
Funders
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
  • Social Sciences › Political Science and International Relations › Asian Geopolitics and Ethnography
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Adolescent Health and Behaviors
Keywords
Burmese refugees, refugee camps, youth, reproductive health, quality of life, sexual health knowledge, condom use, premarital sex, virginity, forced sex, early marriage, sex education, health care needs, Myanmar conflict

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