Problems of Myanmar Women of Reproductive Age in Accessing Health Services as Migrant Workers in Thailand: A Qualitative Study
Dublin Core
Title
Problems of Myanmar Women of Reproductive Age in Accessing Health Services as Migrant Workers in Thailand: A Qualitative Study
Subject
Health service; migrant worker; Myanmar; women
Description
Background: The largest portion of migrant labor in Thailand originates from
Myanmar, with almost half consisting of female workers. Most female migrant
workers (MWs) are of reproductive age and often experience physical illnesses,
including pregnancy and childbirth. Although access to prenatal care and delivery
services for Myanmar MWs has been previously studied, their challenges in
accessing other reproductive health services (HSs) have not yet been explored.
Purpose: This study aimed to explore problems in accessing health services
experienced by women of reproductive age (WRA) who were members of the
Myanmar migrant workforce in Thailand.
Methods: The present study employed a qualitative research design. The samples
consisted of 20 informants aged 18-49 years old, who were Myanmar WRA working
as migrant laborers for more than one year. They were subdivided into two groups:
10 participants provided information through in-depth interviews, and the other 10
participated in focus group discussions, with each group comprising 5 individuals.
The researchers selected informants using criterion sampling. Data analysis utilized
the Diekelmann and Allen method.
Results: The findings revealed two general themes, including care ineligibility and
problems in accessing health services. The six major issues among Myanmar WRA
include inability to purchase or renew health insurance cards (HICs), HIC or social
security wage deduction avoidance, communication issues, hospital inexperience,
the transit fare, and admission refusal.
Conclusion: Despite available health services, migrant women from Myanmar
encounter barriers such as inability to purchase health insurance cards, wage
deduction concerns, communication issues, hospital unfamiliarity, transportation
expenses, and admission refusal. Addressing these barriers through policy
interventions and support mechanisms is crucial for enhancing healthcare access.
Myanmar, with almost half consisting of female workers. Most female migrant
workers (MWs) are of reproductive age and often experience physical illnesses,
including pregnancy and childbirth. Although access to prenatal care and delivery
services for Myanmar MWs has been previously studied, their challenges in
accessing other reproductive health services (HSs) have not yet been explored.
Purpose: This study aimed to explore problems in accessing health services
experienced by women of reproductive age (WRA) who were members of the
Myanmar migrant workforce in Thailand.
Methods: The present study employed a qualitative research design. The samples
consisted of 20 informants aged 18-49 years old, who were Myanmar WRA working
as migrant laborers for more than one year. They were subdivided into two groups:
10 participants provided information through in-depth interviews, and the other 10
participated in focus group discussions, with each group comprising 5 individuals.
The researchers selected informants using criterion sampling. Data analysis utilized
the Diekelmann and Allen method.
Results: The findings revealed two general themes, including care ineligibility and
problems in accessing health services. The six major issues among Myanmar WRA
include inability to purchase or renew health insurance cards (HICs), HIC or social
security wage deduction avoidance, communication issues, hospital inexperience,
the transit fare, and admission refusal.
Conclusion: Despite available health services, migrant women from Myanmar
encounter barriers such as inability to purchase health insurance cards, wage
deduction concerns, communication issues, hospital unfamiliarity, transportation
expenses, and admission refusal. Addressing these barriers through policy
interventions and support mechanisms is crucial for enhancing healthcare access.
Creator
Piyaporn Sitkulanan1
, Kunnikar Chaisitsanguan1
, Prakaipetch Winaiprasert1
, Wilailuck Wong-arsa1
, Kunnikar Chaisitsanguan1
, Prakaipetch Winaiprasert1
, Wilailuck Wong-arsa1
Source
https://doi.org/10.14710/nmjn.v14i1.57287
Date
1 April 2024
Contributor
PERI IRAWAN
Format
PDF
Language
ENGLISH
Type
TEXT
Files
Collection
Citation
Piyaporn Sitkulanan1
, Kunnikar Chaisitsanguan1
, Prakaipetch Winaiprasert1
, Wilailuck Wong-arsa1, “Problems of Myanmar Women of Reproductive Age in Accessing Health Services as Migrant Workers in Thailand: A Qualitative Study,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed February 21, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/11226.