Background:: Food taboos during pregnancy can have both positive and negative impacts on maternal and fetal health. While food provides essential nutrients necessary for pregnancy, certain traditional beliefs lead to the avoidance of specific foods. Objectives: : to assess the nutritional status of pregnant women, identify commonly avoided foods, and explore the reasons behind food taboos. Methodology: : A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 366 pregnant women at ≥ 20 weeks of gestation. Data were collected from January to December 2023. Data collection included four components: sociodemographic characteristics, food taboo practices, reasons for food avoidance, and nutritional status. Interviews were conducted using strutted questionnaires, and additional notes were recorded. Data analysis was performed using SPSS statistical software version 23 using descriptive analysis (number and percentages). Results:: The prevalence of food taboos among pregnant women was 48% (174366). Commonly avoided foods included beef, frogs, insects, goat meat, chicken, fish, balut, sea ood, honey, milk, dried buffalo skin, kha vegetables, kao thong vegetables, papaya, kaolame (sticky rice inside the bamboo), and durian fruit. The main reasons for food avoidance were traditional beliefs, concerns about fetal health, fears of difficult labor, perceived risks to maternal health, and concerns about stillbirth. Additionally, some women avoided certain foods due to personal dislikes or allergies. Regarding nutritional status, the majority of pregnant women experienced normal weight gain (59.6%), while 25.4% had mild weight gain, and 15.0% had low weight gain. Conclusion: Pregnant women must balance their nutritional needs with traditional beliefs that have been passed down through generations. Nutritional interventions and counselling should be designed with cultural sensitivity, incorporating local knowledge and the influence of community leaders. Additionally, healthcare providers should be trained to address food taboos in a way that promotes maternal and fetal health.

Objective: An increase in measles cases was reported in the northwest of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic beginning in January 2019, with outbreaks quickly spreading throughout the country. Following identification of two laboratoryconfirmed cases in Xaisomboun Province, we conducted an outbreak investigation to identify factors contributing to the measles outbreak in hard-to-reach Village X. Methods: Active case-finding was undertaken at the provincial hospital and primary health care centre via a retrospective search through admission logbooks and house-to-house surveys in Village X and surrounding villages. Clinical samples were collected from suspected cases, and data were collected using a standard case investigation form. Vaccine coverage data were reviewed. Results: Of the 40 suspected measles cases with rash onset during 12 February–27 April 2019, 83% (33/40) resided in Village X and 98% (39/40) were of Hmong–Lu Mien ethnicity. Ages ranged from 22 days to 5 years, with 70% (28) aged <24 months. Almost half of cases aged 9 to <18 months (5/11) and 67% (8/12) of cases aged ≥24 months had received a measles-containing vaccine (MCV). Reported MCV coverage in Xaisomboun for children aged <1 year in 2017–2018 was <50%. In 55% (22/40) of cases, case notification was delayed by ≥6 days. The final case classification comprised 10% laboratory-confirmed, 20% clinically compatible, 60% epidemiologically linked and 10% non-cases. Discussion This measles outbreak was likely associated with low immunization coverage, compounded by delays in reporting. Effective strategies are needed to address beliefs about and health literacy barriers to immunization and measles awareness. Such strategies may improve MCV coverage and early diagnosis, enabling timely public health interventions and reducing mortality and morbidity.