Abstract:Background: Multiple factors affect access to maternal, newborn and children health (MNCH) services among Myanmar migrants who cross the Thailand-Myanmar border. Implementation science frameworks such as the Practical, Robust Implementation and Sustainability Model (PRISM) can guide the design, implementation and evaluation of programs by mapping out context and key outcomes to measure. Objectives: To summarise the current evidence on MNCH service delivery, including barriers and facilitators for migrants from Myanmar along the Thailand-Myanmar border to guide policy and program development. Methods: Two independent reviewers systematically searched on PubMed, Embase and Scopus, without date limitations. Studies were included if they involved 1) migrants from Myanmar at the Thailand-Myanmar borders, and 2) reported on health outcomes, service delivery, or health financing for participants aged less than 18 years old and those who are pregnant. Published studies as of 17 February 2025 were included without language restrictions. Findings were summarised using PRISM. Results: “‹A total of 101 studies, published 1989 to 2025, were included from 1451 records. Majority of the studies were conducted in Tak province (90%). Infectious diseases were most commonly evaluated (23%). Recipient characteristics were well characterized: insecure legal status in Thailand, poor literacy, mobile work arrangements, and long distances to health facilities. Organizational characteristics involved healthcare capacity limitations. Recipients value culturally sensitive services, mobile clinics near workplaces, and informal support networks. Providers expressed high commitment to service delivery despite manpower challenges. Network of public and non-governmental service providers facilitated service delivery, but restrictive pathways in Thailand for nationality verification were reported. Intervention outcomes varied across studies, with treatment outcomes, nutritional status, and mortality more commonly reported as effectiveness measures. Conclusion: Contextually relevant factors and key outcomes for consideration were synthesized using PRISM. This, coupled with active multi-sectoral stakeholder engagement, can guide the development of contextually relevant MNCH programs along the Thailand-Myanmar border.
Keywords: Migration and Health, Myanmar, migrants, maternal and child health, service delivery, implementation science
