ความต้องการบริการสุขภาพของวัยรุ่นสาวประเภทสอง

Hatairat  Suksri; Sansanee Chanthasukh; Phitthaya  Srimuang; Sasiwimon  Tongpau

Authors

Hatairat Suksri Sirindhorn College of Public Health Khon Kaen, Faculty of Public Health and Allied Health Sciences, Praboromarajchanok Institute
Sansanee Chanthasukh Sirindhorn College of Public Health Khon Kaen, Faculty of Public Health and Allied Health Sciences, Praboromarajchanok Institute
Phitthaya Srimuang 1 Sirindhorn College of Public Health Khon Kaen, Faculty of Public Health and Allied Health Sciences, Praboromarajchanok Institute
Sasiwimon Tongpau The 7th Health Center Khon Kaen, Ministry of Public Health

Keywords:

healthcare system, male-to-female transgender people, adolescents, community pharmacy, feminising hormones

Abstract

This qualitative study aimed to explore healthcare needs of male-to-female transgender adolescents aged 16 to 19 years old living in Khon Kaen and neighboring provinces in Thailand. Data were collected from nine key informants through in-depth interviews on 1 December 2020 and 28 February 2021. Data from audio recording were transcribed verbatim. Transcriptions were analysed by thematic analysis and also utilizing researchers’ notes. We found that no one had information about transgender clinic in the city of Khon Kaen. Healthcare needs of male-to-female transgender adolescents were: (1) specific transgender clinic, (2) unique characteristics of healthcare professionals, (3) community pharmacy service for transgender people, and (4) other needs relating to holistic healthcare such as understanding and accepting about sexuality and delivering sexuality-related knowledge at school. This study reveals fundamental information about providing healthcare services according to the needs and sexuality of male-to-female transgender adolescents from the beginning stage. This study recommends that governmental and health-related non-governmental organizations: 1) provide healthcare professionals, including community pharmacists, with knowledge and understanding on sexuality and healthcare for this population, 2) monitor hormonal drug usage and deliver correct drug information. Moreover, promoting understanding on sexuality in wider society could help advocate health and well-being among transgender people.

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