Recognizing the impact of migration on reproductive health in Myanmar

This is a thesis portfolio submitted for a Master’s Degree in Public Health from Chulalongkorn University. The aim of the thesis is to raise awareness of the reproductive health issues among migrant populations and the importance of understanding them in the broader context of their lives and surrounding environments. There is limited information available on the reproductive health realities and needs of migrant populations. This is a growing concern given the increasing migration occurring throughout Asia (and the world) and migrant’s reproductive health vulnerabilities and needs. The components of this thesis explore reproductive health issues among migration populations within and from Myanmar in neighboring countries. A comprehensive definition of migrants is used in this thesis to include all people who have moved from their homes for any reason either internally or across borders. This thesis portfolio contains an essay, research proposal, data collection exercise, presentation summary and annotated bibliography. The essay presents the need for recognizing the impact of migration on reproductive health and focuses on migrants from and within Myanmar as a case example. The research proposal aims to assess the reproductive health perspectives, concerns and realities among female migrants from Myanmar in Thailand. Phase one of the research proposal was carried out among migrants from Shan State in Myanmar working on construction sites in Chiangmai, Thailand as the data collection exercise. A summary of the thesis presentation given on the above three components will follow next. Finally, an annotated bibliography of the materials most influential in preparing the various aspects of this thesis portfolio is provided. The thesis highlights how migration impacts women’s reproductive health and the need to consider this population and their particular vulnerabilities and needs in research and policies. The research findings explain how migrants are unable or limited in their ability to access health services due to their isolation, illegal status and/or the high levels of violence in their lives. A strategy for addressing key reproductive health issues in the broader context of the lives of migrants within and from Myanmar is provided as a case example. This strategy emphasizes the critical role international and non-governmental organizations have in raising the issues surrounding migration and reproductive health and bringing them to the attention of governments.