Factors Supporting Young Ethnic Minority Males’ Engaging in Commercial Sex and Accessing Health Care in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Abstract

A qualitative method was deployed to explain the factors supporting young males from ethnic minority groups engaging in commercial sex services and barriers in accessing the Thai health care system in Chiang Mai Province. The information was elicited from four different groups of key informants who were selected by purposive method; 15 young ethnic minority sex workers, 5 public health officers, 2 nongovernment office workers, and 3 gay bar owners. Question guidelines were developed and used to gathering information. Confidential in-depth interviews lasting 45 minutes were conducted in a private room at workplaces. The participants were approached until reaching data saturation. The NviVo Program was used for content thematic analysis to elicit the key findings. Most participants were from Shan, Myanmar. Economic constraints, younger age, low education, limited Thai communication skills and peer motivation constituted the factors supporting young ethnic minority males engaging in commercial sex services. Low education and limited Thai communication skills, rights to free access to the Thai health care system, time and privacy, illegal immigration and financial problems comprised the barriers in accessing the Thai health care system. Government and nongovernment agencies relevant to this issue in Thailand and Myanmar should collaborate to solve the problem of young males engaging in commercial sex services. Health agencies in the area should promote effective educational programs.