Vientiane Province Research Articles

Lessons from a participatory community cricket breeding project in Vientiane Province, Lao PDR

Abstract Edible insect production is a key tool for sustainable development and global food security, but its social dimensions and the organisation of farming operations remain understudied. Crickets are among the most recognised edible insects for farming and offer appealing development opportunities for Lao PDR – a Southeast Asian country whose cricket farming sector has lagged behind neighbouring Thailand and which continues to experience challenging economic and food security conditions. Concerning these sustainable development and research priorities, this paper presents the case study analysis of a service evaluation of Cricket Lao Farm, which implemented a project on the distributed (off-site) production of crickets among local community members. Data collection took place from September to November 2023 and included a survey with 30 participants complemented by qualitative information from discussion groups, home visits, informal conversations, and project documentation. While small-scale farming operations ended within a year due to widespread cricket mortality of unknown cause, community-based cricket farming was in principle profitable and demonstrated strong development potential and local relevance. Furthermore, most of the community-based farmers were motivated and interested in resuming operations in the future. The analysis of this case offers important lessons for further development of the cricket farming sector in Lao PDR, highlighting the challenges of the Western social enterprise model in a development setting, the need to actively manage participation, and to develop an understanding of local community structures before commencing operations. To ensure future success, projects should include robust monitoring and evaluation plans; regular and bidirectional communication between community members and the central farm; co-development of breeding strategies, response plans, and good animal husbandry practices; and community engagement activities involving local schools.

Two new species of the carnivorous snail genus Sinoennea Kobelt, 1904 (Eupulmonata: Diapheridae) from Laos

ABSTRACT Two new species of carnivorous microsnails in the genus Sinoennea Kobelt, 1904, from Laos, are described herein. Sinoennea bounphanmyae Inkhavilay and Vanhdibay sp. n. from Vientiane Province is characterised by an ovate and nearly smooth-surfaced glossy shell, ear-shaped aperture, apertural dentition with five folds (parietal, two palatal, and two columellar), and a wide umbilicus with a periumbilical groove. The other species, S. houaphanica Inkhavilay, Inthavong and Oulaiseng sp. n. from Houaphanh Province, is characterised by an ovate cylindrical, glossy, and ribbed shell; rounded aperture; parietal callus not elevated; apertural dentition with three folds (parietal, lower palatal, and columellar); and a narrow umbilicus with swelling on the inner part of the last whorl. The discovery of these two species has increased the number of recorded Sinoennea snails in Laos to nine species. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:6832DD40-F7B0-4CDC-8EEA-A809C3FFC3B3

Study of Participation from Related Sectors for Nam Po Demonsatration area Management of Vangvieng district, Vientiane Province, Lao PDR

The purpose of this research is: 1) To study the participation of related organizations in the management of Nam Po Demonstration Area, 2) To evaluate the activities of people's participation in the management of Nam Po Demonstration Area, 3) To promote activities that people benefit from and have income from various activities in the said area. The research method used in this study was to interview a sample group including: government officials from 6 offices, village level authorities in 7 villages and a sample group of people who represent all the people in 7 villages that are determined by using percentage criteria or estimation of values from the population which is considered to select 10% of the total population. Analysis of data from the interview with descriptive statistics using 02 programs: Excel and SPSS. The research results found: The participation of relevant parties in the management of Nam Po demonstration area which includes staff level employees from 6 offices who participated in 10 activities (tasks). Among them, there are 07 activities with an average value ( =3; meaning: regular participation) and another 03 activities with an average value ( =2; meaning: occasional participation) and people's participation in the management of the Nam Po demonstration area includes 4 activities such as participation in studying the problem situation and finding ways to solve the problem; Participating in awareness, dissemination of information and implementation of management tasks; Contributing labor and material to management work; Participating in planning, following the plan, monitoring, evaluating and reporting the results of the management of Nam Po demonstration area in 4 activities, it is seen that the level of participation is equal to the average value ( =3; means: moderate level participation). For the promotion of activities that people benefit from and have income from Nam Po Demonstration Area: promoting the development of tourist attractions, creating careers or hiring people in the area to work in the activities in the tourist attractions that have been created; Promote knowledge and train people who have the knowledge to assemble according to the needs of various activities created in the area; As well as promoting production in particular, agricultural production, creating activities and works that make the people in the area benefit the most directly or indirectly both now and in the future.

Streamflow Simulation for Nam Xong River Basin in Vang Vieng District, Vientiane Province

Nam Xong River is one of the tributaries of Nam Lik River, which is considered an important river that creates natural tourism value for the people in Vang Vieng District. Nam Xong Dam was another dam built to generate electricity and divert water to Nam Ngum 1 reservoir to increase hydropower generation capacity. Recently, Nam Xong River Basin (NXRB) has been affected by flooding almost every year due to changes in the amount and pattern of rainfall which is highly variable. Another issue is aggravated by the problem of ungauged basins where the number of hydrological and meteorological stations are limited and unequally distributed over the basins. This obstructs the reliability of streamflow prediction and water resources management. This study therefore aims to address the problems of ungauged basins by performing tasks that serve a main objective: application of HEC-HMS for simulating the streamflow for NXRB. The hydrological and meteorological data used in this study are daily streamflow 2 stations and rainfall 4 stations located in and around the basin. The simulation period is considered based on random flood events from 2005 to 2021. Out of these, 5 events (2005-2015) are selected for model calibration and another event of 2021 are considered for model validation. The results found that the HEC-HMS model can estimate the flow rate in accordance with the observed data, especially during the low flow period. Throughout the considered period, the average flow and total flow volume showed a downward trend. For the result of estimating the maximum flow from the model, the streamflow is lower than the observed data, and the time to peak from the model comes about 1 day later than the observed one in 2014, probably due to the distribution of rainfall in the study area with high variability. Therefore, the HEC-HMS model could be used to simulate daily streamflow in limited data areas. This study could provide recommendations for hydrological modeling for other basins that have similar characteristics to the NXRB.

A study on the diversity of phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera, Psychodidae) in karstic limestone areas in Vientiane Province, Laos, with a description of two new species of Sergentomyia França and & Parrot

BackgroundSoutheast Asia is well known as a hotspot of biodiversity. However, very little is known about cave-dwelling hematophagous insects that are medically important. Taxonomic knowledge and ecology of phlebotomine sand flies are very poorly studied in Laos, as well as in other countries in the region. Herein, we report species diversity data and some notes on the ecology of the detected species from these karstic limestone areas of Laos.MethodsPhlebotomine sand flies were collected using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) light traps from limestone cave locations in three districts of Vientiane Province, Laos. Both morphological and molecular techniques were used for sand fly identification. Species diversity and abundance were analyzed according to sites, locations, collection seasons, and trapping positions.ResultsA total of 6564 sand flies, of which 5038 were females and 1526 were males, were morphologically identified into 20 species belonging to five genera (Chinius, Idiophlebotomus, Phlebotomus, Sergentomyia, and Grassomyia). The most abundant species were Chinius eunicegalatiae, Phlebotomus stantoni, Sergentomyia hivernus, Se. siamensis, and Idiophlebotomus longiforceps. Cytochrome b analysis results supported the morphological identification and revealed that Se. siamensis was separated from other members of the Se. barraudi group. Two new species, Se. dvoraki n. sp. and Se. marolii n. sp., were described. Sand fly density was generally high except in a cave in Vangvieng, with species richness ranging from 14 to 18 across different caves. Outside caves had higher species richness (R = 20) and diversity (H = 2.50) than cave entrances (R = 18, H = 2.41) and interiors (R = 16, H = 2.13). Seasonal variations showed high sand fly density in Feung and Hinheup during both dry and rainy seasons, while Vangvieng had a notable decrease in density during the dry season (D = 6.29).ConclusionsThis study revealed that the diversity of phlebotomine sand fly fauna in Laos, particularly in karstic limestone areas, is greater than previously known. However, the taxonomic status of many species in Laos, as well as Southeast Asia, still needs more in-depth study using both morphological characters and molecular methods. Many species could be found from inside, at the entrance, and outside of caves, indicating a wide range of host-seeking behavior or possible natural breeding in the karstic cave areas.Graphical abstract

Important Insect Pests on Cabbage in Lao PDR

This study was conducted in Xiengkhouang province, Vientiane province, Saravane province, Champasak province, Vientiane Capital, and Plant Protection Center, from January to March 2017. The aims of study were to investigate to major insect pests on cabbage and compared the efficacy of Jeevatu, Jeevatu+botanical pesticide and chemical pesticide to control Diamondback moth in laboratory condition. The study was divided into two treatments: 1) survey important insect pests of cabbage in 3 purposive sampling areas (field)/village, 10 points/rai, and 3 cabbages/point to identify insect pests and survey the life cycle of Diamondback moth of cabbage, and 2) conduct the efficacy experiment of Jeevatu, Jeevatu+botanical pesticide and chemical pesticide to Diamondback moth in laboratory. The experiment was done by Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 5 treatments and 4 replications. The survey showed that there are 8 species of insect pests on cabbage and the most important species is Diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) which was found in all provinces that had been survey than followed by striped flea beetle (Phyllotreta striolata), cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae), cabbage butterfly (Pieris rapae), taro caterpillar (Spodoptera litura), cabbage webworm (Hellula undalis), cabbage looper (Trichoplasia ni) and flea beetle (phyllotreta cruciferae). Life cycle of Diamondback moth was investigated in that laboratory, and it showed that the total of life cycle took about 14-21 days that included 3-5 days for egg stage, 8-12 days for lavae stage, 3-4 days for pupae stage, and 13-31 days of bebeing mature. The efficacy of Jeevatu+Sugar apple leaf extracts, Jeevatu+Neem extracts, and Jeevatu with water for control Diamondback moth indicated that after 5 days sprayed, the mortality percentage was up to 90%, 80% and 57% respectively. For chemical sprayed for 2 days, the mortality percentage was up to 100%. The results of this study showed that the Jeevatu+botanical pesticide can be used as a substitute for substituting chemical in preventing the control Diamondback moth.

Factors that Affect High School Students Making Them Not Like Mathematics

This research paper explores the factors that make high school students reluctant to study mathematics, which aims to: 1) analyze the general information of the sample; 2) Analyze the external factors that make high school students reluctant to study mathematics; 3) Analyze the internal factors that make high school students reluctant to study mathematics; 4) Prioritize the factors that affect the students' reluctance to study mathematics. The sample used in the research was six high school students in Vientiane Capital and Vientiane Province, who interviewed 1,587 students. The research tools were questionnaires, and the data were analyzed using Analytic Hierarchy Process Model. From the sample group of students, it found that there was female more than males. The external factors that make students not like to study mathematics are due to the difficulty, inadequate mathematics textbooks, usefulness of mathematics in daily life, teachers lacking knowledge, families do not support, society does not pay attention to mathematics, mathematics is not interesting and schools do not pay attention to mathematics. The internal factors that make students not like mathematics are: the method of teaching with new ideas that students are interested and understand easily the concept of mathematics levels at intermediate, the curriculum factor determining the content of the mathematics levels intermediate, the factor in the teaching and learning media making the students creative and rational levels at intermediate. The building factor has not enough books for students to read is at the high level, the family factor is the family encourages doing business is at high level, the social factor is the students often go to the market or the city and the village without a definite purpose is at high level, the environmental factor is students using smart phones is at the highest level, and the economic factor of family is the students having pocket money for schools is at the highest level. The factors that make high school students reluctanting to study mathematics are ordered from high to low as environmental factor, social factor, building factor, curriculum factor, teacher teaching factor, family factor, teaching-learning media factor and economic factors, respectively.

Groundwater Study in Limestone Area using Geophysical Methods

Applied geophysics is important for groundwater investigation. Drilling groundwater boreholes without geophysical survey is probably unsuccessful. Meth district, Vientiane Province is the study site due to the most area coving with limestone area. The objective of this study is to define the groundwater model including location, depth and thickness of aquifer using 2D resistivity measurement, groundwater flow direction using self potential measurement. In addition, basic groundwater quality (pH, Ec and TDS) is also defended. 2D-Electrical Resistivity Tomography (2D-ERT) meauremnt using Wenner arrray was conduced for 2 lines with 300m of length and a varying from a=5m to 100m. Self Potential measurment using fixed-base method was performed for 3 lines with 300m of leng and 10m spacing of each measurming point. The results of the 2D-ERT show that low resistivity from 10 to 80 ohm-m at depth of 20-28m interpreted as aquifer layer. But high resistivity from 200 to 600 ohm-m is resulted from base rock. The volage from SP measurment varying ranging from -14 to 24 mV can be defined the flowdirection from NE-SW direction. It is correlating with the topography of the area. The result of physical properties from 3 samples show that pH=6.8±0.5, Ec=480±115 mS/cm, and TDS=343.3±80.2 mg/l. are under the standard values issued by Minstry of Health, Laos.The water qulity is good . The geophysical survey is effective usful methods for groundwater suvey due to low cost and rapid for survey. Geophysical result could be intributed to comunity, government sectors in order to high effective management the groundwtater resources in the future. Moreover, the data is also usfull for researcher and students.

Schubartamon serenum new genus and species, a troglobitic crab from Laos, new records of Erebusa calobates Yeo & Ng, 1999 (Decapoda, Brachyura, Potamidae), and insights on the potamid genera of Indochina

Abstract A new genus and species of troglobitic potamid crab, Schubartamon serenum gen. nov., sp. nov., is described based on an adult female from Vientiane province, Central Laos, found in Vang Vieng karst in the cave Tham Nang Oua (also called Tham Nang Hua). The new genus can be clearly distinguished morphologically from Erebusa, another troglobitic genus known from the single species E. calobates, also from Central Laos, in the Khammouan karst, and for which we now have additional material collected by two French expeditions in several caves scattered around this province, enabling the species to be better documented. The immense karst of Khammouan is not very fragmented, so that the dispersal of species can be quite possible, which explains why E. calobates can be found there dispersed across distant caves. Schubartamon serenum gen. nov., sp. nov. has been collected much further north, in the Vang Vieng karst, Vientiane province, more than 400 km north of Thakhek, the capital of Khammouan. The two species share similar troglobitic adaptations, but the morphological differences between them are significant at a generic level. In particular, compared to those of E. calobates, the differently shaped vulvae of S. serenum gen. nov., sp. nov. alone represent an excellent character for generic distinction. A review of the potamid genera of Indochina is also presented.

From 'Pen Sao' to 'Tue Pa': Understanding diverse pathways to adolescent pregnancy in Lao People's Democratic Republic through qualitative investigation with girls in Vientiane Capital, Vientiane Province, and Luang Namtha.

Adolescent birth rates in Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR) remain the highest in Southeast Asia. There is growing recognition that adolescent pregnancy in Lao PDR is occurring within and outside marriage, but there is a lack of robust qualitative evidence to understand girls' pathways to adolescent pregnancy and contributing factors, especially outside of union (cohabitation or marriage). This study aimed to improve understanding of pathways to adolescent pregnancy in Lao PDR among girls who experienced pregnancy at age 18 or below. We conducted participatory timeline interviews with 57 girls from urban, peri-urban, and rural communities in Vientiane Capital, Vientiane Province, and Luang Namtha, and follow-up interviews with a subset of 20 girls. We identified six pathways to pregnancy, including pathways outside (n = 23) and within union (n = 34). Outside-union pathways diverged according to the nature of sex preceding pregnancy (consensual/pressured, or forced), and pregnancy intention (unplanned, partner-led, or planned). Within-union pathways diverged according to the nature of the relationship before union (romantic or no romantic relationship/arranged union), who initiated the union (couple/girl, parent/partner, or pressured), and pregnancy intention. Factors contributing to girls' pregnancy included barriers to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information and services; partner's control over reproductive decision-making; male sexual entitlement and alcohol use driving pressured/forced sex; cultural acceptance of child marriage and early union; and attitudes and norms regarding sex and pregnancy outside of union. Our findings support strengthening comprehensive sexuality education, including a focus on addressing myths about contraception, building girls' and boys' communication skills, engaging in respectful relationships, and addressing harmful gender norms. Our findings also highlight the need to improve girls' access to adolescent-responsive SRH services, address harmful substance use, challenge sociocultural barriers to young people accessing SRH information and services, and respond to sociocultural and financial drivers of child marriage/early union that contribute to adolescent pregnancy.

Survey on Dental Caries Experience of Students in Vientiane Province, Laos

Survey on Dental Caries Experience of Students in Vientiane Province, Laos

Reservoir Enlargement and Energy Production Comparison of Dry, Normal and Wet Year at Nam Sana1 Hydro Power Plant Kasy District, Vientiane Province

Enlargement of reservoir is one of the technical aspects to increase the storage volume in order to store water and produce more energy. Consequently, the study is to identify the dimension of the new reservoir volume at the Nam Sana1 weir site and also calculate the energy production, the results are found that dimension of the new reservoir the maximum water volume in the reservoir is 264,870 m3, average soil excavate depth from 643.00 to 638.00 masl is 5 m, and soil excavate volume is 332,156 m3, which is the level between the water level at the 642.00 to 638.00 masl

Two new species of Dixonius from Vietnam and Laos with a discussion of the taxonomy of Dixonius (Squamata, Gekkonidae).

Integrated analyses using maximum likelihood (ML), Bayesian inference (BI), principal component analysis (PCA), discriminate analysis of principal components (DAPC), multiple factor analysis (MFA), and analysis of variance (ANOVA) recovered two new diagnosable species of gekkonid lizards in the genus Dixonius, one from the Central Highlands, Gia Lai Province, Vietnam and another from the Vientiane Province, Laos. Phylogenetic analyses based on the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 gene (ND2) and adjacent tRNAs showed that Dixoniusgialaiensissp. nov. is the sister species of D.minhlei from Dong Nai Province, Vietnam and is nested within a clade that also includes the sister species D.siamensis and D.somchanhae. Dixoniusmuangfuangensissp. nov. is the sister species to D.lao from Khammouane Province, Laos and is embedded in a clade with D.vietnamensis, D.taoi, and undescribed species from Thailand. Multivariate (PCA, DAPC, and MFA) and univariate (ANOVA) analyses using combinations of 15 meristic (scale counts), six morphometric (measurements), and five categorical (color pattern and morphology) characters from 44 specimens encompassing all eight species of Dixonius from Vietnam and Laos clearly illustrate Dixoniusgialaiensissp. nov. and Dixoniusmuangfuangensissp. nov. are statistically different and discretely diagnosable from all closely related species of Dixonius. These integrative analyses also highlight additional taxonomic issues that remain unresolved within Dixonius and the need for additional studies. The discovery of these new species further emphasizes the underappreciated herpetological diversity of the genus Dixonius and illustrates the continued need for field work in these regions.

Two new distribution records of Dendrobium (Orchidaceae), with an updated checklist of Dendrobium for Laos

Two new records of Dendrobium, D. daklakense, and D. metrium, are reported for the flora of Laos for the first time. Photographs, information on habitat and ecology, vernacular names and additional notes for each species are given based on collections from Dak Cheung Plateau, Sekong Province (D. daklakense), and Phou Khao Khouay National Park, Vientiane Province (D. metrium). An updated checklist with classification section of Dendrobium in Laos is also provided.

Global approaches and assessment of sustainable development: a case study of two districts in Russia and Laos

The present paper is concerned with the assessment and comparison of ecological and socio-economic development in Duminichy district of Kaluga province (Russia) and Yotlik district of Vientiane province (Laos). This study focuses on the environmental conservation and efficient nature management and proposes a system of indicators for the assessment of sustainable development at the local level. This system includes 43 indicators which correspond to the international requirements and approaches. The assessments were based on the global principles of sustainable development and local characteristics of each area. They helped to determine significant problems in the development of those two districts in Russia and Laos as well as to find the way to resolve the problems.

Impact of Commercial Tree Plantations on Smallholder Live-stock Farmers and Their Livelihoods in Lao PDR

We investigated how commercial tree plantations under Lao forest restoration plan toward 2035, influence socio-economic conditions of household. We also seek to calculate environmental income of rural households in Laos. The questionnaire survey was conducted at two villages (Ban Hinheup and Ban Thoulakhom) from Vientiane province (the central) and two villages (Ban Luangnamtha and Ban Viengphoukha) from Luangnamtha Province (the north). Our survey results showed that the economies of the two study villages in central Laos relied moderately on cash and subsistence value of the environment while this only contributed slightly to the other two villages in the north. Villagers around the plantation concession boundary in the plantation village tends to receive benefits from tree plantations while the richest households from Ban Thoulakhom obtained a major proportion of their total household income from rice and livestock production. Several farmers in study area select eucalypt and/or rubber species, which offer profitable and sustainable land-use choices. Our results also revealed that perception towards the effects of Eucalyptus plantation tends to differ from those towards rubber plantations. Rubber plantations in Luangnamtha Province were found to have a higher economic contribution to local livelihoods, but Eucalyptus plantations were perceived to have a less negative environmental impact and could provide more opportunity for local farmers to either inter-crop their annual crops in the plantations or obtain income from the plantation employment activities. Given the rapidly dynamic policies, executing complex policy change needs sustained effort, and the related state organisations need to be pro-actively involved in dialogue with industries and the communities to be more effective. Future policy options for sustainable planted forest development in Laos should ensure that commercial forest plantations offer the pathway for economic, environmental, and social benefits for rural communities.

Orientia tsutsugamushi in Chiggers and Small Mammals in Laos.

Background: Scrub typhus is a leading cause of febrile illness in Laos and accounts for a high burden of disease. There have been no previous studies on the causative agent, Orientia tsutsugamushi, in vector mites ("chiggers") or their small mammal hosts in Laos. Materials and Methods: Small mammals and free-living chiggers were trapped in districts of Vientiane Province and Capital. Tissues were tested for O. tsutsugamushi by PCR and serum for IgG to O. tsutsugamushi by immunofluorescence assays (IFAs). Chiggers removed from small mammals and collected in their free-living stage using black plates were identified and tested for O. tsutsugamushi by PCR. Results: Over an 18-month period, 131 small mammals of 14 species were collected in 5 districts. Seventy-eight of 131 small mammals were infested with chiggers, but all tissues were O. tsutsugamushi PCR negative. Eighteen species of chigger were identified and 1,609 were tested by PCR. A single pool of chiggers tested O. tsutsugamushi positive. Sera from 52 small mammals were tested by IFA, with 16 testing positive. Conclusions: These are the first molecular and serological data on O. tsutsugamushi in chiggers and small mammals in Laos. Further studies are needed to better understand the key vector species and ecology of scrub typhus in areas with high disease incidence in Laos.

Antibiotic knowledge, attitudes and reported practice during pregnancy and six months after birth: a follow- up study in Lao PDR

BackgroundAntibiotics are important medicines to prevent maternal and child morbidity and mortality. Women’s knowledge and attitudes towards antibiotic use influence their practice. When they become mothers, this may be mirrored in the use of antibiotics for their newborn children. The current study aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes, and reported practice of pregnant women regarding antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance as well as their approach towards antibiotic use for their newborn babies.MethodsThis was a follow-up study with data collected via structured interviews between September 2019 and August 2020 in Feuang (rural) and Vangvieng (urban) districts in Vientiane province, Lao PDR. We identified and invited all women attending antenatal care in their third trimester of pregnancy in the selected areas. Using a structured questionnaire at third trimester of pregnancy we captured data on knowledge regarding antibiotic use and resistance. We collected information on attitudes and reported practice at two time points: (i) at third trimester of pregnancy and (ii) 6 months after birth. Univariate analysis and frequency distributions were used to study pattern of responses. Chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests were used to compare categorical and continuous variables respectively. P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsWe surveyed 539 women with a mean age of 25 years. Two oral antibiotics, i) ampicillin and ii) amoxicillin were correctly identified by 68 and 47% of participants respectively. Only 24% of women (19% in Feuang and 29% in Vangvieng) answered correctly that antibiotics are effective against bacterial infections. The most prevalent response was “I don’t know” suggesting the questions were challenging. Significantly less women would use antibiotics from a previous illness for their child than for themselves (16% vs 29%), however they would be more willing to use antibiotics for their baby even in case of mild symptoms (29% vs 17% while pregnant). The majority of antibiotics were prescribed by healthcare providers and 46% of children with the common cold received antibiotics.ConclusionsWomen’s knowledge was sub-optimal, still, they manifested appropriate attitudes towards antibiotic use during pregnancy and for their child. Nearly half of children received antibiotics for the common cold. There is a need for context adapted programs aiming at improving women’s knowledge, as well as healthcare providers, emphasising rational antibiotic prescribing during pregnancy and for children.

Perceptions and reported practices of pregnant women and mothers of children under two years of age regarding antibiotic use and resistance in Vientiane province, Lao PDR: a qualitative study

BackgroundUnderstanding pregnant women and mothers’ perceptions towards antibiotic use and resistance is essential for appropriate antibiotic use and limiting antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to explore perceptions and reported practices of pregnant women and mothers with children under two years of age regarding correct antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance in Vientiane Province, Lao PDR.MethodsThe study employed an exploratory qualitative research design using focus groups discussions (FGDs). Participants were purposively selected based on: being pregnant at third trimester and attending antenatal care and mothers with children under two years of age, attending the health facility for postpartum visit /vaccinations. Six focus group discussions were conducted in September 2019 with a total of 55 women. The FGDs were transcribed verbatim, data were analyzed first by coding then categorizing the data as we looked for patterns and themes by using the qualitative content analysis.ResultsMost participants had some understanding of antibiotics but wrongly believed antibiotics can be used to treat viral disease. Over half of the participants had heard the term “antibiotic resistance”, but often believed it was their bodies, not the bacteria that developed antibiotic resistance. During pregnancy and for their infants, women preferred to use antibiotics only when prescribed by a doctor. Outside of pregnancy however, consuming antibiotics without a prescription was commonly reported. Participants wanted more information about the indications for antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance.ConclusionsMore effort is required to increase the level of understanding, and practice of mothers to promote optimal antibiotic use. Mothers’ desire to learn more, and their fundamental concern for their children, can be used to promote appropriate antibiotic use. Awareness raising should be complemented by efforts to address other determinants of inappropriate antibiotic use, including educating healthcare workers, and pharmacists and addressing health service determinants that contribute to inappropriate antibiotic use.

On the Occurrence of the Khorat Snail-Eating Turtle (Malayemys khoratensis) in Lao People's Democratic Republic with Notes on Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Exploitation

The Khorat snail-eating turtle (Malayemys khoratensis) is a recently described (2016), poorly studied freshwater turtle known from the Khorat Plateau in Thailand and a small area near Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic. We investigated the occurrence and natural history of M. khoratensis during field surveys of Xe Champhone Ramsar Site (XCRS) and Nong Louang Wetland Complex (NLWC) in Savannakhet Province, and also examined museum specimens and published and unpublished photographs of Malayemys spp. from Lao. Our field surveys confirmed the occurrence of M. khoratensis in the XCRS and NLWC, where populations remain subject to harvest at levels unlikely to be sustainable. We examined 7 museum specimens from Vientiane, Savannakhet, Khammouan, and Champasak provinces. Museum specimens from Vientiane, Savannakhet, and Khammouan provinces were referable to M. khoratensis. Published photographs confirm the occurrence of M. khoratensis in Vientiane Province, and Malayemys subtrijuga in Champasak Province. Collectively, our records extend the geographic distribution of K. khoratensis by > 300 km from previously reported localities. We posit the existence of a biogeographic barrier in southern Lao and adjacent Thailand that separates the allopatrically occurring M. khoratensis and M. subtrijuga.