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  • Title: 'Reproductive revolution' succeeds in Thailand.
    Author: Ismartono Y.
    Journal: Plan Parent Rev; 1984; 4(1):4-5. PubMed ID: 12266278.
    Abstract:
    Between 1964-81, fertility in Thailand declined about 40% and the country is well on its way to a target growth rate of 1.5% by 1986. Thais, like many agrlcultural peoples, have traditionally preferred large families, but lower infant mortality and longer life spans resulting form medical advances produced a rapidly growing population that threatened the country's economic and social well-being. Rising prosperity led the growth rate to increase form 1.9% in 1937-47 to 3.2%/year by the mid-1960s. The government in 1970 promulgated its national population policy which led to incorporation of the family planning program into the next 5-year plan. Contraceptive use among currently married women aged 15-44 quadrupled from 1970-81, with the number of users increasing from 225,000 to 1,126,000. The pill is utilized by about 60% of users, followed by female sterilization, injectables, and the IUD. Despite the rapid fertility decline, Thailand still faces serious demographic pressures, sch as rapidly growing labor force and a population doubling time of 35 years. Factors in the success of Thailand's family planning program have included the adherence of 95% of the population to Theravada Buddhism, which has no problem with the concept of limiting births to ensure an individual's well-being; the progressive position of women, who may act independently of their husbands in family planning; and the supportive government strategy, which has welcomed private efforts in family planning. Among private agencies which have contributed to the success of the family planning program is the Population and Community Development Association. The government's call for wide public participation activated a rare spirit of innovation. Thai surgeons developed the minilaparotomy operation and thailand was among the 1st countries to implement community based distribution of contraceptives. Thailand will need to recruit about 4.6 million new users and retain 4.1 million continuing users if the target rate of 1.5% population growth is to be achieved by 1986. Priority will be given to the northeastern and southern provinces, where the decline in growth has consistently lagged. The greatest obstacle to continuing effectiveness of the family planning program is the lack of funding from regular and dependable sources. Assistence from overseas donors will remain essential for success in the foreseeable future.
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