Levels of and contextual influences on obstetric morbidity in Thailand

Community characteristics have been recognized as shaping individual health, but there have been only a few studies explaining their influence on obstetric morbidity. This book examines the prevalence and association of individual and community-level determinants with self-reported obstetric morbidity and related care-seeking behavior in Thailand. Results of the in-depth investigation on obstetric morbidity and related care among 1067 women, living in 100 villages, are the basis of this book. It is highlighted that thirty-nine percent of the women reported at least one severe obstetric morbidity during pregnancy and delivery in Thailand. Only about a half of them reported that they had sought care for the morbidity. While not working percentage and percentage of single-headed households in the villages were positive predictors of reported morbidity, not working, a lower level of education, and health insurance coverage were positive predictors of care-seeking behavior. Qualitative assessment further indicated that poverty and poor social and health infrastructure of communities may be the root cause of the problem