Understanding the needs and use of sexual and reproductive health services among Thai women: a descriptive cross-sectional study in Sweden
Eva Åkerman
A B D , Elin C. Larsson B C , Birgitta Essén B and Ragnar Westerling A †
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Box 564, 751 22, Uppsala, Sweden.
B Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, International Maternal and Child Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
C Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
D Corresponding author. Email: eva.akerman@pubcare.uu.se
Sexual Health 18(3) 203-211 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH20184
Submitted: 8 October 2020 Accepted: 20 December 2020 Published: 21 June 2021
Abstract
Background: Immigrants are at increased risk of HIV infection in Europe and at risk of delayed diagnosis. In Sweden, Thailand belongs to one of the three most common countries of origin among immigrants diagnosed with HIV. This study investigated the need and use of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services among Thai women residing in Sweden. Use of contraceptives and HIV testing in Thailand was also investigated to understand if this influences utilisation of SRH services in Sweden. Methods: A cross-sectional study using postal questionnaire to all Thai-born women (age 23–60) in Stockholm, residing in Sweden since 2014. The response rate was 52.3% (n= 266). Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used. Results: The majority reported a significant need for information related to SRH services. Most of the women using contraception (70%) bought their contraceptives in Thailand. In total, 60% of the women had been HIV-tested at some point in their lives; the majority were tested in Thailand. Women who had been HIV-tested in Thailand were more likely to also have been tested in Sweden. Significant differences in contraception use, participation in contraceptive counselling and having had an HIV test were found between groups of younger and older women. Conclusions: Our findings imply that age is an important factor to understand women’s need and use of SRH services in Sweden versus Thailand. Furthermore, women’s lack of knowledge and reported need for SRH information needs to be considered when making policies and strategies to increase access to SRH services.
Keywords: sexual and reproductive health and rights, migration, Thai women, Sweden, HIV testing, immigrants, health services, contraceptive use, contraceptive counselling.
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