Sa Kaew hospital campaign steeply reduces teen pregnancies

[webfact]

TEEN MOTHERS
Sa Kaew hospital campaign steeply reduces teen pregnancies
The Nation



SA KAEW'S Wang Nam Yen Hospital has successfully reduced the number of teenage pregnancies from 200 cases a year to only 75 through a project that uses a multi-disciplinary approach to the problem.

The project emphasises life skills and sex education and successfully campaigned for condom machines to be installed at schools, hospitals and other places. It also coordinates with the Office of Non-formal and Informal Education to help educate teens.

As this is happening, the Public Health Ministry said the implementation of the Reproduction Health Act is in the pipeline. The Act, currently in a draft form, would promote teenage girls learning more about sexuality and allow them to continue studying while pregnant.

Pratum Jampa, a nurse working in Wang Nam Yen Hospital's healthcare and family practice division, detailed the reduction in teen pregnancies at the 1st National Conference on Healthy Sexuality: Teenage Pregnancy, which was held last week in Bangkok.

Pratum said the hospital established a committee dealing with reproduction health which comprised nurses, teachers and youths, and was sponsored by the local administrative body.

She said the nurses gathered information on pregnancies among girls aged under 19 and found there were 192 teenage and pre-teen mums in 2011, the youngest 11 years old.

They also found eight teenage mums gave birth to a second child and one teen gave birth to her fourth child, while two girls aged 14 and 18 had HIV. Many of the teen mums lacked life skills, sex education and family-planning knowledge.

Pratum said the committee implemented an action plan to provide communities and schools with information, teach life skills to primary school pupils and sex education to secondary school students.

It also created a group of young spokespeople who talked to their peers about these issues. Parents were provided with information in a bid to boost their communication skills when speaking to their children, while teachers co-ordinated with the Office of Non-formal and Informal Education so young mums could continue studying.

She said that since access to condoms was also key, Wang Nam Yen communities agreed to install a condom machine at Wang Burapa School, six machines at Wang Nam Yen Hospital, one machine at a village and another one at a vocational college. Subsequent surveys found the number of teenage mums had decreased as follows: 203 in 2013 and 75 in 2014.

At the same conference, Professor Roger Ingham, director of the Centre for Sexual Health Research at the United Kingdom's University of Southampton, said the two factors contributing to a dramatic decrease in the teenage pregnancy rate in 12 years related to the rights of children and youths.

They were the right to learn about relationships and sex education appropriately, and the right to access birth control services easily.

Ingham said the two factors could happen when related agencies had a clear policy and provided training to staff at all levels, while parents should know about sexual health and have positive communication skills with their kids.

Studies showed that sex education and better access to birth control services didn't promote youths to have sex. On a contrary, youths with access to this had a tendency to have less sex.

Dr Kittipong Saejeng, director of the Health Department's Bureau of Reproductive Health, said the Reproduction Health Act draft was in the pipeline.

Kittipong said its key content included the right to get information about reproduction health, relationships and sex education, and the right to access safe and appropriate birth control services.

Its other key elements were the right to continue studying despite being pregnant and having access to sexual health services without exposing private information.

In the meantime, he said developing a good attitude in relation to the issue through training would be a big help.

Chiang Mai Youth Council representative Chuleeporn Thaboon called for the continuous promotions of constructive activities for youths.

Chuleeporn said the activities - be it arts, sports or volunteer work - would develop character, self-respect and local communities, while helping to shield youngsters from vices.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Sa-Kaew-hospital-campaign-steeply-reduces-teen-pre-30243278.html


-- The Nation 2014-09-15

[GentlemanJim]

As this is happening, the Public Health Ministry said the implementation of the Reproduction Health Act is in the pipeline.

You have to admit, that is inspired journalism

[96tehtarp]

Education works. Now how about a nurse's office in every school where confidential contraceptive counseling can be had? That works too.

[NongKhaiKid]

A great initiative, hope it can be expanded,

Boosting communication skills for parents is one thing but for so many it should be on how to even starting communicating with their children

It's sad that parents need to be taught how to be parents and so much for the much vaunted Thai family unit.

[Crazy chef 1]

good news and the first right steps but what about the ultimate "contraseptive"?

make the boys/ man accountable for their offsprings and make them pay child care.i think this would solve the problem.

[hanuman2543]

Teach the parents parenting skills.

[brfsa2]

That is really good indeed. Finally Thais are leaving behind the ridiculous "taboo" regarding sexual education.

Next is:

Teach the parents parenting skills.

and destroy all TV Set

[NongKhaiKid]

good news and the first right steps but what about the ultimate "contraseptive"?

make the boys/ man accountable for their offsprings and make them pay child care.i think this would solve the problem.

I recall recently a member posted an extract from Thai law which says a child is TOTALLY the mother's responsibility which isn't surprising in this society.

Can anyone weigh in and confirm this please ?

[Emster23]

Could have said "It's about time" 15 years ago. High school I worked at in US had teen clinic. Instead of candy dish at reception, had basket full of free condoms. What was that test they had a few years ago, best choice when having sexual urges was to go play some basketball? Good luck on getting Thai men to be responsible for their "issue".

[chatette]

How does ONE hospital's campaign translate to `Campaign to reduce teen pregnancies in Thailand is huge success'?

And then: `The Act, currently in a draft form, would promote teenage girls learning more about sexuality...'

Takes two to tango. What about the boys?

Simple tools that aren't rocket science:

Education in schools, awareness and access to birth control options such as the pill, IUDs, depo-provera (latter two's protection is unrivaled as teenagers prone to forget taking pill, condoms break), legalization of abortion pills to avoid high cost, health risk of underground abortions; pro-choice instead of banning abortions.

Thailand's head-in-sand approach to reality is the root of the problem, as it is in so many other areas.

[96tehtarp]

Education in schools, awareness and access to birth control options such as the pill, IUDs, depo-provera (latter two's protection is unrivaled as teenagers prone to forget taking pill, condoms break), legalization of abortion pills to avoid high cost, health risk of underground abortions; pro-choice instead of banning abortions.

They really need contraceptive counseling available right in the schools, just like I had. Then throw in some STD awareness there as well.

Somehow I can't imagine 13 y/o Nok going home and explaining to her parent(s) that her boyfriend, (which she is forbidden to have), Somchai... with whom she's bee fooling around with (which she's also forbidden to do), ...and with whom she's already hit second base with... has been trying very hard to place his lingam inside her yoni and that's she worried about pregnancy and what to do if she allows him to get to home base. This is something she really wants to do because she loves him a lot and is worried that he will dump her for another girl if she refuses his advances.

I don't ever see that conversation taking place at home with parents, or even elder siblings, even where I come from.

Where I come from the place to go was the nurse's office at school. They were very non-judgmental, professional, confidential and honest.

In conservative Thailand the land of paradoxes, I wish them good luck.

[Rimbuman]

Now a campaign against littering, campaign for safe driving, campaign against burning stuff everywhere, campaign against drinking to much and so on.

They're not done yet

[halloween]

Win win situation. Reducing teen pregnancy rates and boosting the demand for rubber.

[cmiuc]

Well... Unless i see some stats instead of words... i don't think its working(the educational part)... If you think about it if you are a teacher, you teach something, how long after you teach it will your students remember it? Unless it is memorized million times in class, and everyday at assembly... it will never sink in... in the end, Sex always wins...

Like i said. unless there are statistics reported by every agency, abortion clinics, hospitals... local town governments... i do not think it has changed... personally maybe even grown... I have on my facebook account 5 or more girls who have kids that are under 20 years old... never had that before...

If anything... Facebook and social media promotes sex or demotes it in 1 handstroke... that is to say... sexual attude is becoming very expressive amongst the younger kids... see so much porn now on FB that even the under 10 years olds are getting exposed to it... and 8 years olds are expressing their emotions on love... used we call this crushes..but without parental involvement... older guys are seducing these 'chicks' as i have seen the comments in facebook of some of my first graders and up...

then facebook promotes a huge selfish environment by manipulating photos and teaching children how to 'give their best side' in beauty... and we know this country loves it's beauty... everytime they have some traditional thai holiday... they dress up in their costumes of old days but with tons of make up to make them look grown up'ish...

i live in a small local town... and teach at a tessaban school... and i went into the 3rd grade boys bathroom where they had drawn art of 'intercourse' acts...

so no... maybe selfishness has controlled the baby population... but that is it... not people spluttering bla-bla on why sex is bad... hehe if they followed china's one child population procedures..then you might see that control... but then again abortion clinics would be swelling at the overload...

so no pat on the back from me... as a teacher at ground zero... this has not happened.

[MediaWatcher]

chatette, on 15 Sept 2014 - 09:46, said:

How does ONE hospital's campaign translate to `Campaign to reduce teen pregnancies in Thailand is huge success'?

And then: `The Act, currently in a draft form, would promote teenage girls learning more about sexuality...'

Takes two to tango. What about the boys?

Simple tools that aren't rocket science:

Education in schools, awareness and access to birth control options such as the pill, IUDs, depo-provera (latter two's protection is unrivaled as teenagers prone to forget taking pill, condoms break), legalization of abortion pills to avoid high cost, health risk of underground abortions; pro-choice instead of banning abortions.

Thailand's head-in-sand approach to reality is the root of the problem, as it is in so many other areas.

I was wondering the same thing about coming from only one hospital.. to me it's self promoting, which isn't uncommon, and usually the info is unreliable.

[wilcopops]

A great example of how listening to the experience and advice of people out side Thailand, rather than taking an un-researched parochial approach, yields great results.

However you can bet your sweet bippy that by the time this becomes national policy, some old fart of a nabob will have put some half-baked moralistic spin on the thing rendering it "more appropriate for the Thai way" and therefore ineffective.

[wilcopops]

Teach the parents parenting skills.

...and this is my nomination for the most facile post of this thread!

Edited September 15, 2014 by wilcopops

[hanuman2543]

Teach the parents parenting skills.

...and this is my nomination for the most facile post of this thread!

Education starts at home and parents who are delegating this responsibility to the government and its institutions are looking for an easy way to excuse their own irresponsible behaviour.

[GentlemanJim]

Teach the parents parenting skills.

...and this is my nomination for the most facile post of this thread!

How can that post be described as facile? It highlights probably THE most important issue concerning teenage pregnancy.

Edited September 15, 2014 by GentlemanJim

[halloween]

Education starts at home and parents who are delegating this responsibility to the government and its institutions are looking for an easy way to excuse their own irresponsible behaviour.

I'm afraid that since coming here, I have heard of far too many home sex education classes that include involuntary practicals.

[realenglish1]

Daaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Well for decades in the west there has been good sex education. But the Thais think that it does not exist in Thailand so no need to talk about it.

This is so rediculious. The more you talk about it the better informed people are and the less likely they are to have an unwanted pregnancy.

This idea that if you educate they will have more sex is just plain, well, uneducated

[bander]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

good news and the first right steps but what about the ultimate "contraseptive"?
make the boys/ man accountable for their offsprings and make them pay child care.i think this would solve the problem.

Thais pay child care, keep on dreaming.

That'll Be The Day

[wilcopops]

Teach the parents parenting skills.

...and this is my nomination for the most facile post of this thread!

How can that post be described as facile? It highlights probably THE most important issue concerning teenage pregnancy.

To suggest the Thai family system or any family system for that matter, is capable of satisfactorily educating teenagers is simply risible.

You hear cries like this every time the word "teenager" is mentioned.

"I blame the parents" etc etc - how clichee'd ca you get???

It has been shown the world over that "parenting" is not and never will be the solution to teenage problems ....what I find so disappointing is that you have chosen to ignore the good research and "fall back" on a set of thoroughly discredited ideologies ..... facile in the extreme....get in touch with the world.

Edited September 15, 2014 by wilcopops

[wilcopops]

Could have said "It's about time" 15 years ago. High school I worked at in US had teen clinic. Instead of candy dish at reception, had basket full of free condoms. What was that test they had a few years ago, best choice when having sexual urges was to go play some basketball? Good luck on getting Thai men to be responsible for their "issue".

The US has just about the most appalling record on unwanted pregnancies in the western world.....

[surfinglife]

The condoms in those dispersing machines are usually 54 or 52 size which is far too big for an average Thai bloke, especially skinny little teen boys. No wonder they are reluctant to use them.

[Anon999]

How does ONE hospital's campaign translate to `Campaign to reduce teen pregnancies in Thailand is huge success'?

And then: `The Act, currently in a draft form, would promote teenage girls learning more about sexuality...'

Takes two to tango. What about the boys?

Simple tools that aren't rocket science:

Education in schools, awareness and access to birth control options such as the pill, IUDs, depo-provera (latter two's protection is unrivaled as teenagers prone to forget taking pill, condoms break), legalization of abortion pills to avoid high cost, health risk of underground abortions; pro-choice instead of banning abortions.

Thailand's head-in-sand approach to reality is the root of the problem, as it is in so many other areas.

If it is not in Thailand, where is it? Remember this is either a translation or written by someone that is not a native English speaker. Don't be so critical about a campaign that has proven to be very effective and could quite easily be adopted countrywide!

You post is overly critical and there is not one iota of praise from beginning to end.

[GentlemanJim]

Teach the parents parenting skills.

...and this is my nomination for the most facile post of this thread!

How can that post be described as facile? It highlights probably THE most important issue concerning teenage pregnancy.

To suggest the Thai family system or any family system for that matter, is capable of satisfactorily educating teenagers is simply risible.

You hear cries like this every time the word "teenager" is mentioned.

"I blame the parents" etc etc - how clichee'd ca you get???

It has been shown the world over that "parenting" is not and never will be the solution to teenage problems ....what I find so disappointing is that you have chosen to ignore the good research and "fall back" on a set of thoroughly discredited ideologies ..... facile in the extreme....get in touch with the world.

Ok you have a point maybe i based my opinion made on the "fall back" of my own thoroughly discredited ideologie of being a parent with 4 children 2 of whom are in their late 20s and making sure they were fully informed and supported on every aspect they needed in terms of sex education as a teenager and guess what.......no unplanned pregnancys in our family. (Or drug addicts or pissheads or flunking out of uni) but apart from that and them knowing i was always there for them to discuss absolutely anything then i guess i need to get in touch with the real world because you must be right, good parenting counts for nothing.

I guess you abdicated responsibility of such issues to some underpaid teacher you dont know who didnt even bother to support your children emotionally and quite rightly because its not their job. The only thing facile here is your argument.

[quicky]

Education in schools, awareness and access to birth control options such as the pill, IUDs, depo-provera (latter two's protection is unrivaled as teenagers prone to forget taking pill, condoms break), legalization of abortion pills to avoid high cost, health risk of underground abortions; pro-choice instead of banning abortions.

They really need contraceptive counseling available right in the schools, just like I had. Then throw in some STD awareness there as well.

Somehow I can't imagine 13 y/o Nok going home and explaining to her parent(s) that her boyfriend, (which she is forbidden to have), Somchai... with whom she's bee fooling around with (which she's also forbidden to do), ...and with whom she's already hit second base with... has been trying very hard to place his lingam inside her yoni and that's she worried about pregnancy and what to do if she allows him to get to home base. This is something she really wants to do because she loves him a lot and is worried that he will dump her for another girl if she refuses his advances.

I don't ever see that conversation taking place at home with parents, or even elder siblings, even where I come from.

Where I come from the place to go was the nurse's office at school. They were very non-judgmental, professional, confidential and honest.

In conservative Thailand the land of paradoxes, I wish them good luck.

It sounds to me like your country and your family failed if the school had to do the counseling, and now you want that failed system used here? No thanks.

Because the child doesn't go to mom or dad to have that conversation, doesn't mean mom or dad can go to the child to have that conversation. That's called responsible parenting, try teaching responsibility instead.

America is a perfect example of the Liberal teachings of no responsibility, Thailand can just used that as a way not to do it.

[oztaurus]

about 10 years ago I was teaching in a vocational college for girls in Bangkok. We regularly lost about 5-6 girls per class per year to pregnancy, often after either Valentines day or (ironically) father's day celebrations involving lots of alcohol.

I lay part of the blame at the feet of a society which at 8:15 every night serves up a smorgasbord of rape and violence against women as a form of entertainment, and allows drunkenness and/or societal position as an acceptable excuse to avoid responsibility for your actions.

[hanuman2543]

Teach the parents parenting skills.

...and this is my nomination for the most facile post of this thread!

And how many responsible Thai parents do you know? I witnessed my soon to be ex-wife bringing up her teenage daughter and had many "disagreements" with her. She thought being a good mother means you have an excuse for every shit your offspring commits and the only important thing is what the neighbors think. The parenting of my wife includes an abortion for the daughter at the age of fourteen, marrying her daughter to a boy who was beating her up on a regular basis and working in a Karaoke bar with 15. And people parenting their children in this or a similar way are the vast majority here. And now go and get a life and don't bother people having first hand experience with your boring comments.