Background and rationale: Many factors contributing to tooth decay and oral health problems. These includes economic, social and environmental factors. However, the key factors were unknown among nursing students in Lao PDR. Objective: To assess the oral health status, oral care behaviors and factors affecting the oral health care behaviors of nursing students. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. We interviewed and examined the nursing students at University of Health Sciences by completing questionnaires and performed oral examinations, estimating the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth Index (DMFT) and Oral Hygiene Index (OHI). Data were analyzed using SPSS. The descriptive statistics and Chi-square test were used with P-value ≤ 0.05. Results: Of the 200 students recruited, most were female (87.5%), and the median (range) age was 26 (17-45) years old. Tooth decay was noted in 67.0%, estimating the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth Index was 3.11 per people per tooth and this was significantly associated with predisposing factors and reinforcing factors with a p-value <0.05. The students’ oral hygiene with good level was 61.0% and their oral hygiene index was 2.39. Knowledge, attitude and behavior in oral health care of the students were moderate (60.0%) and these were significantly associated with cleaning practice at p-value of 0.002. Conclusion This study shows that some factors are significantly associated with personal behavior, caries and oral hygiene practice in nursing students.

This study investigated rural Lao PDR village women's views and experiences of recent, or impeding, childbirth to better understand barriers to maternity service usage. Lao PDR has the highest maternal mortality rate (MMR) in the South-East Asian region with very low utilization rates for skilled birth assistance and health sector delivery services. The study site, Sekong, a southern Lao province, was lowest in the country on virtually all indicators of reproductive and maternal health, despite several recent maternal health service interventions. The study's aim was to gain a fuller understanding of barriers to maternity services usage to contribute towards maternity services enhancement, and district and national policy-making for progressing towards 2015 MDG 4 & 5 targets.

A descriptive cross-sectional study was used. First, face-to-face questionnaires were used to collect demographic and reproductive health and health care experience data from 166 village woman (120 with a child born in the previous year, and 46 who were currently pregnant). In-depth individual interviews then followed with 23 purposively selected woman, to probe personal experiences and perspectives on why women preferred home birthing.

The majority of the woman had given at home, assisted by untrained birth attendants (relatives or neighbours). While seventy percent had accessed some antenatal services, postpartum follow-up attendance was very low (17 percent). Limited finances, lack of access to transport and prior negative health service experiences were important factors influencing women's decision making. Giving birth at home was seen by many, not just as unavoidable, but, as the preferred option.

Recent top-down maternal health initiatives have had little impact in this region. Improving maternal and child-health strategies requires much greater community participation and use of participatory action methodologies, to increase women's engagement in policy and planning and subsequent usage of health service developments.

Human ; Female ; Adult ; Young Adult ; Pregnancy ; Health Services