Rationale and Background: : Gender-based violence (GBV), especially domestic violence, is prevalent in Lao PDR. Yet, it is largely a ‘hidden’ and unaddressed problem. Engaging men and boys in GBV prevention first requires an understanding of how men and boys’ perceptions of gender norms and GB. This study is aimed to explore gender and masculinity and men’s level of awareness of GBV, and attitudes towards GBV in Lao PDR and to identify factors associated with men’s awareness of GBV and attitudes towards GBV in Lao PDR. Methodology: : A quantitative research method community-based study was conducted among married men in Vientiane and Champasak provinces, Lao PDR. The sample was married or cohabiting males in a heterosexual union living in the community for at least 1 year. The sample size for the quantitative survey was 680 men and a multi-stage random sampling scheme was applied. Descriptive and Inferential statistics were applied. A bivariate logistic regression model followed by multivariable analysis was performed to identify the associated factors of GBV. Results: : About 44.6% of men in particular suffered more severe forms of physical violence. Overall, 43.2% of male participants had positive attitudes towards gender equality and 67.1% of male participants had positive attitudes towards GBV. Overall, 99.4% of male participants ever reported physical violence during their lifetime Gender Equality Matters while 76% reported having physical violence during the last year. About one-fourth of participants (20.3%) had sexual violence during the last year. The majority of participants (84%) had good knowledge of GBV, but 46.7% had high knowledge of different types of GBV. Persons living with their family (AOR: 2.9; 95% CI: 01.1-7.2); attitudes towards GBV (AOR: 5.4; 95% CI: 3.7-9.6); men’s awareness of the effectiveness of strategies to engage men in GBV prevention (AOR: 12.2; 95% CI: 4.7-31.7) were significantly correlated with knowledge of GBV. While factors statistically significant associated with positive attitudes towards GBV were non-Lao-Tai ethnic (AOR: 0.2; 95% CI: 0.1-0.4); knowledge of GBV (AOR: 4.9; 95% CI: 3.1-7.9); and men’s awareness on the effectiveness of strategies to engage men in GBV prevention (AOR: 0.2; 95% CI: 0.1-0.3). Conclusion: This study highlights the good knowledge of GBV among male participants and the low knowledge of different types of GBV. It also revealed the positive attitudes towards GBV and high Gender Equality Matters (GEM). Factors statistically significant associated with knowledge of and attitudes towards GBV among male participants were socio-demographic characteristics, attitudes towards GBV, and men’s awareness of the effectiveness of strategies to engage men in GBV prevention. Men-oriented programs, such as those involving men, also address gender norms, with promising results including increased equitable attitudes and reduced self-reported gender-based violence perpetration.

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.