The
Department of Population has conducted a Fertility and Reproductive Health Survey
(FRHS) in 1997. FRHS is the second attempt ever, at the national level, to obtain
information on Reproductive Health components besides contraception and fertility.
It is essential to continue the RH study and some extensive study to be undertaken
in some selected areas especially high-risk areas near the borders. Tachileik,
Myawady and Kawthoung Townships which are on the Myanmar-Thailand border are
selected for the study.
Among
the health related issues related to cross-border migration, STD and HIV/AIDS
come at the top signifying serious concern. This is particularly true with border
crossings between Myanmar and Thailand. The reasons for the cross-border movements
are different and dependent on the reason is the time taken for return migration.
Exposure to commercial sex seems to be a common phenomenon in these cross-border
migrations, causing great concerns regarding the spread of STD and HIV/AIDS.
It is essential to know about these health related aspects in the context of
cross-border migration if a meaningful intervention strategy has to be formulated.
Objectives
of the Cross-border Migration and Reproductive Health Study
(1)
To prevent HIV transmission related to cross-border movement.
(1)
To study factors related to cross-border migration.
(2)
To study HIV transmission related to cross-border migration.
(3)
To study HIV transmission to non-migrants in border areas.
(4)
To study Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of STD/HIV related aspects of
Reproductive Health.
The
outputs include a well-documented study data set, selected data analysis and
the draft report of the study areas prepared by the department.
Three
townships on the borders with Thailand and China with distinct characteristics
with respect to cross-border movements were selected
for the study, namely, Tachileik, Kawthaung and Muse.
The
DOP had designed four questionnaires:
(1)
Household questionnaire with some basic demographic and socioeconomic
characteristics and some migration related information
so as to identify migrants and non-migrants,
(2)
A detailed questionnaire for ever-married women in the households,
(3)
The third questionnaire for male adults and
(4)
The fourth questionnaire is for female entertainment workers.
There
were a total of 3000 households - 1000 households in each township for the household
questionnaire, 650 ever-married women, about 800 single/married males aged 15-59
and about 500 female entertainment workers interviewed.
A
data user workshop was conducted in third week of March in 1999.
Pre-tests and planning visits were conducted at the end of March 1999
and March 2000 in selected areas of Tachileik, Kawthaung and Muse townships
to identify/select the areas in each study township' for field enumeration and
the testing of the questionnaires, the methodology and
the study organization.
The
fieldwork was conducted at the end of April 1999 and 2000 and lasted about 5
weeks each. Data processing and analysis were done at the DOP. The report was
prepared by DOP personnel and National Advisor with supervision by resident
CTA of UNFPA and UNFPA/CST, Bangkok.
The
Dissemination Workshop on Findings of Cross-Border Migration and Reproductive
Health Study
The
Dissemination Workshops on Findings of Cross-Border Migration and Reproductive
Health Study were held at the Department of Population on
21 December 1999 and November 2000.
Field
enumeration in Shan State
