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.

Introduction: : Adolescent sexual and reproductive health (SRH) remains a major public health concern. Effective parent-child sexual and reproductive health communication (PCSC) has been shown to reduce the incidence of unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and to delay the onset of adolescent marriage and pregnancy Objectives: : This study aimed to explore the perceptions, attitudes and practices related to PCSC among parents and adolescents in Bolikhaxay province, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). Methodology: : A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted involving 496 participants, comprising adolescents aged 15–19 years and their parents, from two randomly selected urban and peri-urban communities in Bolikhamxay province, Lao PDR. Socioeconomic data were collected, and structured face-to-face interviews were conducted to assess engagement in, understanding of, and attitudes towards PCSC. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with engagement in PCSC. Results: : Only 32.9% of parents reported engaging in PCSC in two or more SRH topics at least twice within the six-month study period. Factors significantly associated with increased PCSC included higher monthly household income (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.50; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.33- 0.76), a positive parental attitude toward SRH communication (AOR = 2.74; 95% CI: 1.80- 4.18), and greater parental self-efficacy regarding SRH communication (AOR = 5.06; 95% CI: 3.31,-7.74). Conclusion: Engagement in PCSC was suboptimal among families in Bolikhamxay province. Parental self-efficacy and positive attitudes toward SRH communication were positively associated with increased engagement, while lower household income was inversely associated. Targeted interventions to enhance parental SRH knowledge and communication confidence are warranted. Community based campaigns and digital platforms may serve as effective tools to promote open and informed SRH discussions among parents, teachers, local authorities, health professionals, and adolescents.

Rationale and Background:: To develop more effective intervention strategies against dengue, it is essential to estimate the impact of higher temperatures on dengue prevalence, and risk factors associated with infection. Objectives: : To assess the prevalence of dengue fever in Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR and gain insights into environmental and sociodemographic factors associated with infection. Methodology: : An observational quantitative research design was used, comprising 1) a cross-sectional household survey conducted in selected districts in Vientiane Capital (Xaysetha, Sikhottabong, Hadxaifong, Xaythany) using structure interview questionnaires that covered socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge about dengue fever and information relating to the household environment and 2) a review of data regarding the temperature and temperature in Vientiane Regency from 2007–2022. Data analysis was conducted using STATA. Results: : A total of 954 participants (94% of expected samples) were included in the study. Gender and age were not significantly associated with dengue fever infection rates (p=0.781 and p=0.607, respectively). However, occupation, ethnicity, and limited living space were significantly associated with higher odds of having dengue fever (OR=0.60, p=0.003), (OR=6.28, p=0.035; and OR=0.43, p=0.001, respectively). Economic factors such as income and perceived economic status showed no significant correlation with dengue fever infection. Additionally, minimum and average temperature fluctuations increased annually, with significant associations with dengue prevalence (p<0.001 and p=0.024). Conclusion: Dengue fever prevalence remains high and fluctuates annually, with a peak during the rainy season. Warmer temperatures appear to contribute to increased dengue infections. Dengue prevention efforts continue to face challenges, emphasizing the need for enhanced preventative measures, particularly during the rainy season. Furthermore, these findings highlight the importance of continued research on temperature-dengue relationships, particularly in the context of global climate change, to support adaptive disease surveillance and control strategies.

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.

Rationale and Background: : The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents has increased worldwide and has reached alarming proportions. Currently, sugar-sweetened beverages are the primary source of added sugar in the diet of children and adolescents. Objectives: : This study aimed to examine the association of the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and added sugars, with total and abdominal obesity among secondary school. Methodology: : Data was collected with a self-administered questionnaire. Intake of sugar-sweetened beverages including carbonated drinks and synthetic fruit juices were measured using a validated food frequency questionnaire and 24-hour food consumption recall. The association between body mass indexes, waist circumference, and body adiposity index in each quartile category of sugar-sweetened beverages consumption was determined using multiple logistic regression models. Results: : Our findings showed that among the subjects, 35.3% were underweight, 6.2% were overweight, and 14.3% were obese. 67.2% of school adolescents have high knowledge of intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and abdominal obesity. Sweetened beverages and crispy flour snacks are the two most commonly consumed foods by adolescent students. Of the sugary beverages, 35.3% of teenagers drank soft drinks four to six times a month, followed by iced green tea/coffee (26.6%) and bubble milk tea (19.3%). Flavored milk (16.9%) was the most popular type of milk and milk-based product consumed, followed by fresh/plain (16.2%) and soy milk (11.2%). Crunchy seasoning ranked first among crispy flour snacks (21.7%), then Mama noodles (18.3%), and cream-filled cookies (8.6%). Conclusion: According to this study, overweight and obesity are highly prevalent among Laotian school-age adolescents. Daily soft drink consumption was widespread, highlighting the need for targeted interventions. Our results align with evidence from prospective cohort studies and randomized trials, which indicate that reducing soft drink consumption should be a key strategy in the fight against the pandemic of overweight and obesity among teenagers.