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Abstract

Background: Thailand has made progress toward gender equality, but still faces challenges, particularly for women from ethnic minorities and those in conflict-affected areas. Exploring the specific challenges and opportunities facing women in Doi Mae Salong, Chiang Rai province requires an understanding of the factors that contribute to women's empowerment through health decision-making. This study aims to analyze the key factors affecting women’s empowerment through health decision-making in Doi Mae Salong, Thailand.

Methods: The researcher collected data from a total of 375 women using symmetric random sampling and distributed questionnaires. Data analysis included calculating frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. Multiple classification analysis (MCA) was used to analyze the relationships between multiple independent variables and a dependent variable with a statistical significance level of 0.05.

Results: Multiple classification analysis conducted in this study found that occupation and ethnicity had a significant effect on women's empowerment through health decision-making in Mae Salong, Thailand. These findings highlight the importance of considering the specific cultural and socioeconomic contexts in which women live when designing interventions or programs aimed at promoting women's empowerment.

Conclusions: Efforts to promote women's empowerment should also recognize the unique challenges faced by women in different occupations and provide support and resources to help them overcome these challenges. Overall, promoting women's empowerment through health decision-making is essential for achieving gender equality and improving health outcomes for women and their families.

Keywords: Women's empowerment, Women's status, Health decision-making, Gender, Remote area

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