Evaluating research ethics committees in Vietnam and Laos: Results of a validated self-assessment tool.

Background: There is an increase in human subject research in developing countries and conducting them in an ethical manner depends on the research ethics oversight in these countries. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the operational, financial, and educational characteristics of research ethics committees (RECs) at institutions in Vietnam and Laos.

Methods: A validated self-assessment tool designed to assess nine major characteristics of RECs was translated into Vietnamese and Laotian.

Period shaming behavior among male students in Luang Prabang Province, Lao People's Democratic Republic: A cross-sectional study.

Period shaming is defined as any negative and/or disrespectful behavior in relation to the menstrual cycle and menstruating girls. It is suggested that period shaming may limit girls' potential and ability to fully participate in school and community activities. This study aims to examine the prevalence and factors associated with period shaming among male students in Luang Prabang Province, Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR).

Assessment of the underlying causes of adult deaths using a short version of verbal autopsy in Xaiyabouli Province, Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Background: In developing countries, it is difficult to collect the data of the underlying cause of death (UCOD), especially when a death does not occur in a health facility. This study aimed to develop a short version of verbal autopsy (VA) and identify the UCOD of adults in Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR).

Methods: A short version of VA for deaths outside health facilities was developed.

Reporting system on mortality statistics in Lao People's Democratic Republic.

The system to collect information on mortality statistics in Lao PDR is not well established, accurate and timely death information is therefore not available. This article reports the system and process to make the mortality statistical data of Lao PDR. The country has a paper-based resident registration system, using a death notification document, a death certificate, and a family census book.

Menstrual health and factors associated with school absence among secondary school girls in Luang Prabang Province, Lao People's Democratic Republic: A cross-sectional study.

In Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), information on school sanitation and menstrual health among secondary school girls is limited. This study aimed to explore knowledge and practices surrounding menstrual health and to identify factors associated with school absence due to menstruation among secondary school girls in Lao PDR. The study involved 1,366 girls from grade 9 to grade 12 in six secondary schools in Luang Prabang Province.

Trends and risk factors for infant mortality in the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

A high infant mortality rate (IMR) indicates a failure to meet people's healthcare needs. The IMR in Lao People's Democratic Republic has been decreasing but still remains high. This study aimed to identify the factors involved in the high IMR by analyzing data from 53,727 live births and 2189 women from the 2017 Lao Social Indicator Survey.

Factors associated with postpartum depression among women in Vientiane Capital, Lao People's Democratic Republic: A cross-sectional study.

Postpartum depression is a worldwide public health concern. The prevalence of postpartum depression is reported to be greater in developing countries than in developed countries. However, to the best of our knowledge, no papers on postpartum depression in the Lao People's Democratic Republic have been published.

Disease frequency among inpatients at a tertiary general hospital in Lao PDR.

In Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), reports on disease frequency are very limited. This study aimed to report frequencies of the main cause of admission among inpatients of a tertiary general hospital (Mittaphab Hospital) in Vientiane. Subjects were inpatients who were admitted from January 3 to February 2 in 2017.

Antibiotic prescription for under-fives with common cold or upper respiratory tract infection in Savannakhet Province, Lao PDR.

Background: The irrational use of antibiotics has been identified as a major problem in healthcare, and it can lead to antimicrobial resistance, treatment failure, and increased healthcare costs. Although many studies worldwide have focused on the irrational use of drugs, reports on prescription practice in Lao PDR remained limited. This study aimed to examine the patterns of antibiotic prescription for under-fives with common cold or upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) at pediatric outpatient divisions.

Factors associated with routine immunization coverage of children under one year old in Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Background: Routine vaccination is administered free of charge to all children under one year old in Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) and the national goal is to achieve at least 95% coverage with all vaccines included in the national immunization program by 2025. In this study, factors related to the immunization system and characteristics of provinces and districts in Lao PDR were examined to evaluate the association with routine immunization coverage.

Methods: Coverage rates for Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis-Hepatitis B (DTP-HepB), DTP-HepB-Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type B), polio (OPV), and measles (MCV1) vaccines from 2002 to 2014 collected through regular reporting system, were used to identify the immunization coverage trends in Lao PDR.

Underlying Cause of Death Recorded during 2013 to 2015 at a Tertiary General Hospital in Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR.

In Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), the cause of death is not registered in death reports. As a result, the government cannot produce official reports that show mortality according to cause of death. This study aimed to report the underlying cause of death in a tertiary general hospital (Mittaphab Hospital) in Vientiane capital.

Factors affecting low birth weight at four central hospitals in vientiane, Lao PDR.

The purpose of this study was to determine the factors affecting low birth weight (LBW) at four central hospitals in Vientiane, the capital city of Lao PDR. We collected data from 235 mothers with LBW babies and 265 with babies of normal birth weight (NBW) who had delivered them at four central hospitals from March to June of 2008. Among the mothers of LBW babies, 84.