University of Health Sciences Vientiane

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2025.101674.].

Abstract Background: Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is crucial for providing infants with essential nutrients and antibodies during the first six months of life. It significantly contributes to child growth, cognitive development, and the reduction of illness. Despite its well-documented benefits and intensive efforts to promote EBF, in the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), prevalence of EBF are reported to be suboptimal. This study aims to identify the factors associated with EBF among mothers of children aged 6 to 23 months in Lao PDR. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted across three provinces, involving a total of 960 mothers of children aged 6 to 23 months. Participants were recruited using multi-stage sampling techniques. Data were gathered through face-to-face structured interviews. To identify the factors associated with EBF, both binary and multiple logistic regression analyses were employed. The adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated to assess the strength and direction of the relationships, along with their statistical significance. Results: The majority of mothers (85.5%) reported having previously breastfed a child; among them, 86% provided colostrum and 72.6% initiated breastfeeding within the first hour after birth. However, only 44.7% of mothers continued to breastfeed, and 61.1% practiced exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) during the first six months. More than half (59.8%) introduced foods other than breast milk when their child reached six months of age or older. Statistical analysis revealed several factors associated with an increased likelihood of practicing EBF: mothers over 30 years old (AOR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.1–2.6), mothers as housewives, farmers, or sellers (AOR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.1–2.6), mothers with more than one child under five years of age in the family (AOR: 1.4; 95% CI: 1.1-2.0), mothers with infants aged 12 months or older (AOR: 1.6; 95% CI: 1.1–2.2), those attending postnatal care (PNC) (AOR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.4–2.4), those with higher knowledge of EBF (AOR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.3–2.3). And mothers who delivered via cesarean section decreased likelihood of practicing EBF (AOR: 0.7; 95% CI: 0.5–0.9). Conclusion: The study revealed a relatively high prevalence of exclusive EBF under 6 months. Significant socio-demographic factors, knowledge of EBF, and obstetric considerations were identified as key determinants associated with EBF practices. Given the multifaced nature of these factors, continued advocacy for EBF is essential to enhance maternal and child health outcomes. Advocacy efforts should particularly target young and first-time mothers, working mothers and those who have undergone caesarean sections emphasizing the importance of re-establishing EBF immediately following delivery.

Abstract Edible insect production is a key tool for sustainable development and global food security, but its social dimensions and the organisation of farming operations remain understudied. Crickets are among the most recognised edible insects for farming and offer appealing development opportunities for Lao PDR – a Southeast Asian country whose cricket farming sector has lagged behind neighbouring Thailand and which continues to experience challenging economic and food security conditions. Concerning these sustainable development and research priorities, this paper presents the case study analysis of a service evaluation of Cricket Lao Farm, which implemented a project on the distributed (off-site) production of crickets among local community members. Data collection took place from September to November 2023 and included a survey with 30 participants complemented by qualitative information from discussion groups, home visits, informal conversations, and project documentation. While small-scale farming operations ended within a year due to widespread cricket mortality of unknown cause, community-based cricket farming was in principle profitable and demonstrated strong development potential and local relevance. Furthermore, most of the community-based farmers were motivated and interested in resuming operations in the future. The analysis of this case offers important lessons for further development of the cricket farming sector in Lao PDR, highlighting the challenges of the Western social enterprise model in a development setting, the need to actively manage participation, and to develop an understanding of local community structures before commencing operations. To ensure future success, projects should include robust monitoring and evaluation plans; regular and bidirectional communication between community members and the central farm; co-development of breeding strategies, response plans, and good animal husbandry practices; and community engagement activities involving local schools.

BackgroundThe government of Lao PDR has increased efforts to control malaria transmission in order to reach its national elimination goal by 2030. Weather can influence malaria transmission dynamics and should be considered when assessing the impact of elimination interventions but this relationship has not been well characterized in Lao PDR. This study examined the space–time association between climate variables and Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax malaria incidence from 2010 to 2022.MethodsSpatiotemporal Bayesian modelling was used to investigate the monthly relationship, and model selection criteria were used to evaluate the performance of the models and weather variable specifications. As the malaria control and elimination situation was spatially and temporally dynamic during the study period, the association was examined annually at the provincial level.ResultsMalaria incidence decreased from 2010 to 2022 and was concentrated in the southern regions for both P. falciparum and P. vivax. Rainfall and maximum humidity were identified as most strongly associated with malaria during the study period. Rainfall was associated with P. falciparum incidence in the north and central regions during 2010–2011, and with P. vivax incidence in the north and central regions during 2012–2015. Maximum humidity was persistently associated with P. falciparum and P. vivax incidence in the south.ConclusionsMalaria remains prevalent in Lao PDR, particularly in the south, and the relationship with weather varies between regions but was strongest for rainfall and maximum humidity for both species. During peak periods with suitable weather conditions, vector control activities and raising public health awareness on the proper usage of intervention measures, such as indoor residual spraying and personal protection, should be prioritized.

BackgroundDespite a widespread aversion towards faeces and urine, animal excreta are used in traditional medicine in many countries since centuries, but records are scattered and few therapeutic uses have been accurately documented while in the current context of emerging zoonoses such records may be of major interest.MethodologyIn this study, we investigated the therapeutic uses that mahouts in Xayaboury province, Lao PDR make of elephant urine and faeces as well as of the brood chamber that beetles (Heliocopris dominus) fashion from elephant dung. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with mahouts on elephant diet, health problems and responses to disease, andwhether they use elephant products. Data were supplemented by interviews with traditional healers.ResultsSeven respondents reported the use of elephant urine in ethnoveterinary care for elephants and in human medicine in case of diabetes and otitis. 25 respondents reported therapeutic use of elephant faeces (EF) and elephant dung beetle brood chambers. The major indications are gastrointestinal and skin problems. Macerations or decoctions are drunk or used externally as a lotion. The mahouts attribute the therapeutic effectiveness of EFs to their content which includes the remains of many species from the elephant diet which they consider to be medicinal.DiscussionThe indications of these uses are consistent with pharmacological and clinical studies highlighting the properties of different animals’ urine and faeces and their curative potential tested in vivo. The acknowledgement by the mahouts of medicinal properties of elephant faecal bolus contrasts with the rare justifications of animal material use recorded in zootherapeutic studies, which falls within the symbolic domain. However, numerous studies highlight the preponderant role of the microbiota in physiological processes, raising the hypothesis of a curative action of EF, by rebalancing the user’s microbiota.ConclusionThe therapeutic uses of EF preparations despite their possible curative properties are a potential source of zoonotic transmission from elephants to humans. In the current context of globalisation of trade which favours the emergence of zoonoses and in relation with the issue of One Health, it becomes crucial to further document the zootherapeutic practices to prevent emerging diseases. As elephants and local related ethnoethological knowledge are threatened, documenting them is urgent to contribute to their preservation.

Objective:The goal of this study is to determine the degree of dental caries experience of children in Champasak Province. Methods:The authors analyze the oral examination results of 100 primary school, 99 junior high school, and 100 high school students. Results:The decayed-filled primary teeth index (dft index) of 6-year-old primary school children was 5.30 and their primary tooth dental caries experience rate (df rate) was 88.00%.The decayed-filled-missing permanent teeth index (DMFT index) of 12-year-old middle school children was 0.75 and their permanent tooth dental caries experience rate (DMF rate) was 35.35%.The DMFT index of 15-year-old middle school children was 2.20 and their DMF rate was 64.00%. Conclusion:For the growth of qualitative dental care, the manpower required to meet the needs of people must be assessed and efforts must be made to produce them through appropriate medical education.