The survey, conducted among 404 Thai women aged 1-49, or on average 34.2 years, found that 63% wish to have children, while 53% demonstrated adequate health literacy, reports the Bangkok Post.
The department found that child allowances and extending maternity leave to 180 days on full pay would encourage more women to have children.
Dr Amporn Benjaponpitak, the department’s director-general, on Friday (Sept 26) said 67% of respondents were married or had partners, while 29% were single.
Of those surveyed, 88% wanted a partner, and 63% wanted children, with another 29% preferring to remain child-free.
Many respondents wanted to see more state benefits, including universal child allowances and partial coverage for assisted reproductive treatments such as In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) or free infertility care after failed intrauterine insemination (IUI) attempts.
Dr Bunyarit Sukrat, director of the Reproductive Health Bureau, said that a majority of respondents had knowledge about the risks of poor mental health, illicit substance use and chronic conditions such as diabetes or hypertension during the course of pregnancy.
Meanwhile, Dr Akkarawat Piaopong- pakawat, director of Health Literacy and Communication Promotion Division, said that 53% had adequate health literacy, with good awareness of nutrition and lifestyle changes, but a weaker understanding of maternal age, body weight, blood sugar and certain infections.
The department encouraged comprehensive communication, both online and through health networks, on issues of pregnancy among those aged lower than 20 years, HIV/Aids and Syphilis infections, and pre-pregnancy nutrition.
It will also work to provide consultation on reproduction. Child benefits and other support will be discussed to encourage pregnancy before the department can track the results of its work on reproductive health.