Thailand Women Health Information
Reported, January 6, 2012
In Thailand the lifetime average number of children per women is 2 compared with 2 in the UK.
71.5% of women of reproductive age report using (or a partner using) a contraceptive method compared with 82% in the UK.
27% of women aged 5069 years have undergone a breast examination or mammography compared to 75% in the UK.
Anaemia
There is a moderate risk of anaemia in people from this country (estimated prevalence in non-pregnant women 20-40%). Be alert to this possibility in recently arrived migrants, particularly for women and pre-school children, and test as clinically indicated.
Vitamin D deficiency
Sunlight is the major source of vitamin D and dark skinned individuals or those who for cultural or religious reasons cover their whole bodies when outdoors are at risk of deficiency, as are those whose diets (vegetarian/vegan) do not contain an adequate vitamin D supply.
Vitamin A deficiency
There is a risk of vitamin A deficiency in this country.
TB
There is a high incidence of TB in this country (40 499 cases/100,000).
If known to be HIV positive refer to HIV team for further risk assessment and TB screening.
Offer chest X ray to all unless
under 11 years of age
possibility of pregnancy
recent chest X ray
Offer Mantoux test if;
under 11 years of age
possibility of pregnancy
normal chest X ray but less than 36 years of age
Offer gamma interferon blood test if;
Mantoux test >6mm (no prior BCG)
Mantoux test >15mm (prior BCG)
Refer to TB services promptly if screening is positive.
Maintain long term vigilance for symptoms of TB even if initial screening is negative.
TB is a notifiable disease.
HIV and sexually transmitted infections
There is a high rate of HIV in this country.
All patients from this country should be offered an HIV test.
Although recent global STI data are not available, countries with high HIV rates tend to have higher rates of STIs. The range of STIs encountered in this country may vary from those in the UK.
Sexually active individuals should be offered a full sexual health screen and safer sex health promotion advice by referral to local genito-urinary medicine services.
Hepatitis B
This country has a high prevalence of hepatitis B.
Consider screening for hepatitis B, particularly among those who have recently arrived.
All pregnant women should be offered screening for hepatitis B infection during each pregnancy.
Babies born to mothers who are hepatitis B positive should be appropriately immunised and followed-up accordingly.
Hepatitis C
This country has a considerably higher prevalence of hepatitis C than the UK.
Consider screening for hepatitis C.
Malaria
There is a high risk of malaria in some areas of this country due to P. falciparum and P. vivax.
Information on which areas of this country are affected is available from NaTHNaC.
Any unwell patient with a history of arrival from or a visit to affected areas of this country in the last year must be tested for malaria.
Enteric fever
There is a high risk of typhoid infection in this country.
Ensure that travellers to this country are offered typhoid immunisation and advice on prevention of enteric fevers.
Helminths
There is a risk of helminth infections including lymphatic filarisis and soil transmitted helminthiasis in this country.