Demand-driven capacity building for public health nutrition research in Lao PDR.

In Laos, rates of undernutrition, especially among children under 5 years of age, remain high. In response, a large multidisciplinary team embarked on a multi-year project in Laos beginning in 2019 with the purpose of institutional strengthening around public health nutrition research. This paper summarizes the Applied Nutrition Research Capacity Building project's activities, immediate project results, and prospects for sustaining impacts into the future.

Isolation: The experience of adolescent motherhood in Laos.

Background: Teenage pregnancy is a persistent public health problem with pervasive socio-economic consequences, particularly in in low- and middle-income countries, often related to low social participation and low economic security. The experiences of adolescent pregnancy and motherhood have seldom been described from a personal point of view. This study aimed to gain insights into how adolescent mothers in Laos experience their motherhood, how they perceive their situation and try to cope with it.

Status and Trends of Physical Activity Surveillance, Policy, and Research in 164 Countries: Findings From the Global Observatory for Physical Activity-GoPA! 2015 and 2020 Surveys.

Background: Physical activity (PA) surveillance, policy, and research efforts need to be periodically appraised to gain insight into national and global capacities for PA promotion. The aim of this paper was to assess the status and trends in PA surveillance, policy, and research in 164 countries.

Methods: We used data from the Global Observatory for Physical Activity (GoPA!) 2015 and 2020 surveys.

Fecal carriage and clonal dissemination of blaNDM-1 carrying Klebsiella pneumoniae sequence type 147 at an intensive care unit in Lao PDR.

Objectives: Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) are high priority targets of global antimicrobial surveillance. Herein, we determined the colonization rate of CPE on admission to intensive care units in Vientiane, Lao PDR in August-September 2019.

Methods: Data regarding clinical conditions, infection control, and antibiotic usage were collected during admission.

Antibiotic knowledge, attitudes and reported practice during pregnancy and six months after birth: a follow- up study in Lao PDR.

Background: Antibiotics are important medicines to prevent maternal and child morbidity and mortality. Women's knowledge and attitudes towards antibiotic use influence their practice. When they become mothers, this may be mirrored in the use of antibiotics for their newborn children.

Current Status of Thalassemia in Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Thalassemia is a major public health and economical burden in Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). This study is aiming to elaborate the current situation of Thalassemia in Laos. α- and β-thalassemia (α- and β-thal) includes the common Hb S (: c.

Perceptions and reported practices of pregnant women and mothers of children under two years of age regarding antibiotic use and resistance in Vientiane province, Lao PDR: a qualitative study.

Background: Understanding pregnant women and mothers' perceptions towards antibiotic use and resistance is essential for appropriate antibiotic use and limiting antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to explore perceptions and reported practices of pregnant women and mothers with children under two years of age regarding correct antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance in Vientiane Province, Lao PDR.

Methods: The study employed an exploratory qualitative research design using focus groups discussions (FGDs).

Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated With Postpartum Depressive Symptoms Among Women in Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR.

Postpartum depression (PPD), the onset of depressive episodes after childbirth, is the most common psychological condition following childbirth, and a global public health concern. If undiagnosed and/or untreated, postpartum depression can have negative effects on maternal and child health, however, there are few studies on the prevalence of postpartum depression in low- and middle-income countries. To contribute to filling this gap, this study examined the prevalence and risk factors associated with postpartum depressive symptoms among women after delivery in Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR.

Higher childhood pneumonia admission threshold remains in Lao PDR: an observational study.

Objectives: WHO Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) guidelines changed pneumonia hospitalisation criteria in 2014, which was implemented in Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) in 2015. We determined adherence to: current (2014) IMCI guidelines for children presenting to hospitals with pneumonia, current outpatient management guidelines and identified hospitalisation predictors.

Design: Prospective observational study (January 2017 to December 2018).

Antibiotic Prescribing in Connection to Childbirth: An Observational Study in Two Districts in Lao PDR.

Overuse and misuse of antibiotics has frequently been reported for obstetric conditions and procedures, which may impact both the mother and the unborn baby and increase antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to investigate the antibiotic prescribing pattern in connection to childbirth in two districts in Lao PDR. It is a cross-sectional observational study.

Validation of the Questionnaire on Sexual and Reproductive Health Literacy for Adolescents Age 15 to 19 Years in Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Background: Beyond sexual and reproductive health (SRH) knowledge, it is sexual and reproductive health literacy (SRHL) that reflects the capacity to deal with sexuality. Many interventions have been conducted to increase SRH knowledge in adolescents, but SRHL has rarely been measured, and a well-validated tool is needed to measure it.

Objective: This study aimed to validate a tool to measure adolescent SRHL.

Knowledge, Attitudes, Perception and Reported Practices of Healthcare Providers on Antibiotic Use and Resistance in Pregnancy, Childbirth and Children under Two in Lao PDR: A Mixed Methods Study.

Background: Overuse and misuse of antibiotics contribute unnecessarily to antibiotic resistance (ABR), and are thereby global health threats. Inappropriate prescriptions of antibiotics during pregnancy, delivery and early childhood are widespread across the world. This study aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes, and reported practices of healthcare providers (HCPs) and to explore their perceptions regarding antibiotic use and ABR related to pregnancy, childbirth, and children under two in Lao PDR.

Pesticides use and health impacts on farmers in Thailand, Vietnam, and Lao PDR: Protocol for a survey of knowledge, behaviours and blood acetyl cholinesterase concentrations.

Pesticides use in Southeast Asia has increased steadily, driven by the growth of large-scale commercial farming, as well as a desire to maximise food production in rural subsistence economies. Given that use of chemical pesticides, such as organophosphates and carbamates, has known potential health impacts, there are concerns about the safety of agricultural workers, and a need for a better evidence base to underpin regulation and worker education. This study, undertaken in 9 districts in Lao PDR, Thailand and Vietnam, will interview agricultural workers to investigate how they use pesticides, their knowledge of risks and self-protective practices, and their self-reported illness symptoms.

Evaluation strategies for measuring pneumococcal conjugate vaccine impact in low-resource settings.

Objectives: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) are effective in reducing pneumococcal disease. We measured 13-valent PCV (PCV13) effect on different pneumococcal outcomes using diverse studies in Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Methods: Studies included: pre-PCV13 population-based record review of hospitalized childhood pneumonia cases; acute respiratory infection (ARI) study post-PCV13 to demonstrate effectiveness (VE) against hypoxic pneumonia; invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) surveillance in all ages (2004-2018); carriage studies in children hospitalized with ARI (2013-2019); community carriage surveys pre- and post-PCV13.

Containment of Antibiotic REsistance-measures to improve antibiotic use in pregnancy, childbirth and young children (CAREChild): a protocol of a prospective, quasiexperimental interventional study in Lao PDR.

Introduction: Antibiotics are essential to treat infections during pregnancy and to reduce both maternal and infant mortality. Overall use, but especially non-indicated use, and misuse of antibiotics are drivers of antibiotic resistance (ABR). High non-indicated use of antibiotics for uncomplicated vaginal deliveries is widespread in many parts of the world.

Sexual and reproductive health communication between parents and high school adolescents in Vientiane Prefecture, Lao PDR.

Background: Adolescent health has become a priority on the global health agenda. Parent-adolescent communication regarding sexual and reproductive health (SRH) issues can help to reduce adolescent risk-taking sexual behaviours.

Objective: This study was to describe the situation of SRH communication, and to determine the factors associated with SRH communication between high school students and their parents in Vientiane Capital prefecture, Lao PDR.

Stillbirth in Lao PDR: a healthcare provider perspective.

Background: Stillbirth is a major global concern. However, most research has been conducted in high-income countries. Understanding of the experience and management of stillbirth in low-middle income countries is needed.

Knowledge of safe sex and sexually transmitted infections among high school students, Vientiane Prefecture, Lao PDR.

Background: Adolescent knowledge of safe sex and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can reduce the risk of STIs as well as unplanned pregnancies.

Objective: To describe the knowledge of safe sex and STIs and to identify related factors among high school students in Vientiane Prefecture, Lao PDR.

Method: This was an analytical cross-sectional study conducted at one high school from January to February 2019.

Menstruation practice among school and out-of-school adolescent girls, Lao PDR.

Background: The transition from childhood to adolescence is a critical transitional period for girls, and as they experience these changes, having knowledge of, and being able to practice, good menstruation hygiene management is crucial. The objective of this study was to understand in and out of school adolescents' menstrual hygiene management practice, sources of information and attitudes towards menstruation.

Methods: A cross sectional, descriptive study was conducted between November 2018 and May 2019.

Knowledge of and attitudes towards abortion among adolescents in Lao PDR.

Background: Adolescents are at high risk of unintended pregnancy and consequent unsafe abortion. Evidence from Lao PDR suggests a high but underreported prevalence of induced abortion, especially amongst adolescents. Research suggests adolescents are less likely to have an unsafe abortion when they have accurate knowledge about abortion and hold positive attitudes towards abortion.

Quality of family planning services for women of reproductive age in Lao PDR.

Background: In Lao PDR, 15% of the married women want to postpone or prevent having a child, yet most are not using contraceptives to achieve this. Literature shows that usage of contraceptives is strongly dependent on the quality of family planning services. However, little is known about the quality of family planning services in Lao PDR.

Factors associated with patient payments exceeding National Health Insurance fees and out-of-pocket payments in Lao PDR.

Background: Attaining universal health coverage is a target in the Sustainable Development Goals. In Lao PDR, to achieve universal health coverage, the government is implementing a national insurance scheme, initially targeting the informal sector.

Objective: The purpose was to assess: i) the percentage of NHI patients who paid above the scheduled amount, based on individual billing payment; and ii) the factors related to overpayment.

Perceptions and management of postpartum haemorrhage among remote communities in Lao PDR.

Introduction: In Lao People's Democratic Republic, despite a policy to provide free maternal health services in healthcare facilities, many rural women continue to deliver at home, without a skilled birth attendant. These women are at high risk of postpartum haemorrhage, the leading cause of maternal mortality in the country. While women in remote areas continue to be unable to access facility-based birthing, interventions to reduce postpartum haemorrhage are a priority.