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  • Title: Demographic Health Survey: Xay Thani district of Vientiane prefecture, Lao People's Democratic Republic.
    Author: Foley PJ, Vongsak D.
    Journal: Asia Pac Popul J; 1991 Dec; 6(4):67-78. PubMed ID: 12285057.
    Abstract:
    This article describes a demographic and health survey of 1608 married women of reproductive age, 15-44 years, from a sample of 30 villages in Xay Thani within 30-60 km of Vientiene, Lao People's Democratic Republic. It is expected that the social, economic and health conditions would be higher given the proximity to the capital city with bus service and paved roads. The physician to patient ratio is 1/1400 persons compared to rest of the country at 1/12,600. The physical conditions in the 60% farming community show that 85% are without motor transport and 40% without electricity. The mean age of respondent was 29 years. 81% could read a newspaper and 19% had no formal education and were unable to read. 87% of those 35-39 years and 48% of those 40-44 years had no formal education. The UN estimated Laotian female literacy to be 35% in 1989. It is possible the higher literacy is due to radio, television, and newspaper accessibility. 55% owned radios and 25% had televisions. 85% accepted the idea of family planning messages on television. The mean number of living children ranged from a high of 6.86 for those 40-44 to low of 1.09 for those 19 and 2.0 for those 20-24. The average was 3.82. Corresponding mean live births were 7.91 and 1.25 and 2.25. The infant mortality rate can not be determined from the data but is expected to be high. Knowledge of reproductive fertility and contraceptives was low. 86% were unaware of the timing of ovulation for most ages. 25% were aware of IUDs, condoms, tubectomy, vasectomy, periodic abstinence, or withdrawal, and 35% were aware of pills. Only 16% knew where to obtain contraceptives. The contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) was 17.6% for modern methods. 17% were pregnant and 3% were unsure. Only 3.6% of those 19 have used any method and 1.8 a modern method. The CPR for 20-24 years old was 12.1% and increased with age. 70% of those 30 years did not want to be pregnant. Desired number of children was 3 or more, and mean desired was 5. A high infant mortality rate may account for the higher number of desired children. Reducing infant mortality and delaying age at 1st pregnancy would positively affect maternal and child health, as would sanitation improvements. 58% reported no toilet facilities. 35% reported that their youngest child had not received immunization. A comprehensive family planning program is recommended.
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