Comparison of the knowledge, attitudes toward, andpractices of contraception between Thai Muslim womenliving in Bangkok and those living in the southernmostprovinces of Thailand

Abstract

Background: There are limited data on the use of contraception by Thai Muslim women.Objectives: To compare and explore the knowledge, attitudes toward, and practices (KAP) of contraceptionbetween Thai Muslim women living in Bangkok and those living in the Southernmost provinces. Variablesassociated with KAP were also examined.Methods: This was a community-based cross-sectional study, which was conducted in the Muslim communitiesin Bangkok and those in the southernmost provinces of Thailand including Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat. Amultistage, cluster sampling technique was used to identify participants. Only literate Thai Muslim women wholived in their hometown, and aged between 15-49 years were included in the analysis. A self-administeredquestionnaire was used to assess participants' KAP of contraception.Results: Data from 423 participants were analyzed. Knowledge and attitude scores between the two groups werecomparable. A higher proportion of women from the southernmost provinces used contraceptives. However, when a multivariate regression model was used to adjust for other variables, women's geographical residencewas not associated with higher knowledge and attitude scores, or contraceptive practices. College-level educationand higher income level were independent factors associated with contraceptive knowledge. A higher knowledgescore was independently related to a positive attitude towards contraception. Only number of children andincome level were independently associated with contraceptive practices.Conclusions: For Thai Muslim women, geographical residence was not significantly associated with KAP ofcontraception. The educational level, income level, and number of children of the women played major roles inKAP of contraception.