Role of family in HIV prevention: systematic reviews and qualitative investigation of young Thai women in Bangkok

Thesis

Young women are particularly vulnerable to HIV. Despite the successful HIV prevention efforts in Thailand in the past, young Thai women are at increased HIV risk and in urgent need of effective HIV interventions. Numerous studies have emphasised the importance of family in determining young people’s sexual behaviour. This thesis explores the roles of family in shaping young people’s sexual decisions and examines the potential of family-involved HIV interventions (FIHIs) for young Thai women.

The thesis systematically examines studies across settings to determine whether involving family in HIV interventions could influence young people’s sexual behaviour. The findings suggest that FIHIs have a potential in shaping young people’s condom use practices. It identifies several key characteristics of effective FIHIs that can potentially be valuable for future HIV development in other contexts. Qualitative data collected from focus groups of young Thai women in Bangkok are analysed using the framework developed from the systematic review of qualitative studies. The findings highlight several challenges for future FIHIs for young Thai women. These are barriers to parent-child communication, a tension of coexistence of two divergent sexual norms - traditional/Thai versus modern/globalised, alternative sources of sexual health and HIV knowledge, the importance of family relationships, and the different circumstances and needs of young Thai women from different backgrounds. Future FIHIs for young Thai women should consider a comprehensive, structural and eco-developmental approach, simultaneously targeting both individuals and the wider environment. This thesis offers a new contribution to the HIV prevention and sexual health education literature and identifies the potential effectiveness of FIHIs tailored to young Thai women,constituting an important step in addressing the public health problems of HIV/AIDS infections in Thailand.

Authors: Bangpan, M

• Publication date: 2014
• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: Oxford University, UK
• Language: English
• Keywords: systematic review; Thailand; Sexual health; focus group; intervention; HIV
• Subjects: Gender; Health and health policy; Families,children and childcare; Families