title: Reproductive health in selected villages in Lao PDR.
abstract: The aim of the project was to improve the knowledge and attitude towards birth spacing by training the villagers in the selected villages of Vientiane Province in Lao PDR in family planning, providing them with the various family planning methods, and improving antenatal (ANC) and postnatal (PNC) care in the villages. Throughout the province, traditional birth attendants (TBA) were trained on several occasions during the project period. There were clear indications that reproductive health improved between 1995 and 1997. Considerable improvements were observed in the percentage of women making use of ANC and practising birth spacing by using some form of contraception or other. The most common methods used were contraceptive pills and injectables. In the case of child mortality a slight decrease was found in the percentage of women having their first pregnancy below the age of 18 years. A still unsolved problem is the high number of abortions.
authors.affiliation: Mother and Child Health Center, Ministry of Health, Vientiane, Lao PDR.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rattanavong
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Thammavong
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Louanvilayvong
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Southammavong
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vioounalath
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Laohasiriwong
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saowakontha
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Merkle
authors.forename: F P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Schelp
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007812:Laos; D008430:Maternal-Child Health Centers; D008875:Middle Aged; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy