Background: : According to the World Health Organisation, Lao PDR was among the top 10 countries with the highest reduction in maternal mortality between 2000 and 2020. However, maternal mortality rates remain high compared to most countries in the WHO Western Pacific Region, with an estimated 126 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020. The major non-obstetric causes of maternal mortality were HIV and tuberculosis (TB) infections. Objectives: : To determine the proportion of HIV/TB testing and assess knowledge of HIV and TB among pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) at the Central hospitals, Vientiane provincial hospitals, and peri-urban district hospitals in Vientiane Capital. Methodology: : This cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2022 to December 2022. Four central hospitals and four district hospitals in Vientiane City and Vientiane Provincial Hospital were selected as study sites. Participants were interviewed face-to-face using a standardized questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, obstetric history, ANC attendance, HIV/TB testing history, and knowledge of and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS and TB. Data were analyzed using STATA version 17. Univariate analysis, including frequencies and percentages, was used to describe variables and identify patterns. Factors associated with adequate knowledge of, and attitudes towards HIV and TB were assessed using multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: : Among 1,964 pregnant women attending ANC at the selected sites, the proportion of HIV-positive cases detected via rapid testing was 0.6%. None of the participants had been tested for TB. Misconceptions about HIV and TB were prevalent. For example, 35.7% of participants believed that HIV could be transmitted by sharing food with an infected person, and only 13.7% correctly identified TB as being caused by bacteria. Overall, 45.0% and 42.8% of participants had good knowledge of HIV and TB, respectively. Additionally, 25.9% pregnant women had a positive attitude towards HIV/AIDS, while 45.1% had a positive attitude towards TB. Factors significantly associated with knowledge of HIV/AIDS and TB included obstetric and ANC history, positive attitudes towards TB, and awareness of TB testing locations. Conclusion: The study highlighted a low prevalence of HIV/AIDS among pregnant women attending ANC at central and district hospitals in Vientiane Capital. However, knowledge of HIV/TB was limited, and attitudes towards HIV/TB were generally negative. These findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions, educational initiatives, and awareness campaigns to improve knowledge, correct misconceptions, and foster positive attitudes towards HIV/AIDS and TB among pregnant women. The insights from this study can inform the development of policies, programs, and preventive strategies aimed at reducing HIV/AIDS and TB infections.

Background and rationale: : Diarrhea is the leading cause of death in children under five years of age. Most deaths are due to dehydration and inadequate management. The knowledge of caregivers in managing diarrhea tends to be related to outcomes. However, these issues can be addressed through the management and treatment of diarrhea in children to prevent dehydration by providing adequate fluids from the start, continuing to feed, and providing oral rehydration solutions. Objective: : To determine the prevalence of diarrhea, describe care-seeking behaviors, and determine the proportion of appropriate health-seeking behaviors for diarrhea and the level of caregiver knowledge about diarrhea in children aged 6-59 months. Methodology: : This study was a cross-sectional study was conducted with 445 mothers/caregivers of children who had experienced childhood diarrhea in Kaysone, Oudomphon, Atsaphangthong, and Sungkhone districts of Savannakhet province using a quantitative questionnaire. Qualitative studies were also conducted with 10 FGDs, one in each village FGD and each village consisted of 6 participants. A research assistant will do this with the lead researcher who will observe the participants’ responses. Results: : This study found that 1/3 of caregivers also had poor health-seeking behavior. The results showed that factors associated with health-seeking behavior were female gender (AOR=0.56; p=0.05), high knowledge (AOR=0.20; p=0.001), positive attitude towards diarrhea (AOR=0.36; p<0.001) and no service fee, insurance (AOR=3.69; p<0.001). Conclusion: The study recommends that the Ministry of Health create a program to help address diarrhea in children under 5 years of age to help educate mothers about identifying signs and symptoms, causes, prevention measures, and management of diarrhea.

Background: : Maternal and perinatal mortality remain major concern in Laos and many other low- and lower-middle income countries. Standard antenatal screening for of high-risk pregnancies can improve maternal and perinatal health outcomes. Objectives: : to explore the barrier and limitation s of implementing early detection of high-risk pregnancy in Laos. Methodology: : This study took place in four provincial hospitals in Laos from February to December 2023. Qualitative research methods, including key informant interviews at ANC clinics, were conducted Purposive sampling was used to recruit 13 obstetricians, 5 midwives, and 1 general practitioner for data collection. In-depth semi-structured individual interviews were conducted to collect the data, and deductive conventional content analysis was performed concurrently. Results: : Three main themes related to the implementation of antenatal high-risk pregnancy screening were identified: a) The importance of antenatal high-risk pregnancies screening, such as the benefits of early detection, b) barriers to antenatal high-risk pregnancy screening, including political commitment, infrastructure (laboratory testing, drug and medical equipment), cultural beliefs and language barriers, human resources, training issues (availability of antenatal care guidelines, refresher training), and health insurance issues. c) Referral of high-risk pregnancy women, consisting of the need for referral guidelines and improvement of the referral mechanism. Conclusion: Antenatal screening for high-risk pregnancy in Laos is not fully implemented in the four facilities. Human resource capacity, infrastructure, and health insurance coverage need to be improved.

Rationale and Background:: Rationale and Background: Little to known about information about epidemiological data and rationale antibiotic use in respiratory infection among children in Laos. Therefore, we need to know the antibiotic use for children with respiratory infection for proper health planning. Objectives: : to determine the proportion of antibiotic use in Respiratory infection among children in Vientiane Capital. Laos PDR. Methodology: : Cross sectional descriptive study was carried out. 320 mothers or fathers of ill children were interviewed. Data were collected in the children hospital in May 2023. Descriptive statistics will be used for data analysis. Results: : 99 (30.3%) children were taken antibiotic prior to see doctors. 55.5% were taken amoxicillin. 43.1% and 38.1% were diagnosed for common cold and tonsillitis respectively. Doctors prescribe antibiotic for 156 48.8% and writing unclear suggestion to take medicine 54%, 275 cases (86%) and 45 cases (14%) were diagnosed as upper respiratory infection and lower respiratory infection respectively. Conclusion: Irrational antibiotics use was done in this study. Therefore, the rationale antibiotic therapy guideline for respiratory infection must be developed and implemented properly in order to avoid the socio-economic and public health negative effects.