Factors influencing sexual and reproductive health among adolescents in Lao PDR

Abstract

Background: Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to poor sexual and reproductive health outcomes. In addition, Lao PDR has the highest teenage pregnancy rate in southeast Asia and a high maternal mortality ratio. Objective: This study aimed to provide a comprehensive exploration of factors that influence SRH knowledge, attitudes, and practices of adolescents in Bokeo Province, Lao PDR. Method: Data from the Adolescent Girl Situation Analysis cross-sectional study, collected in 2018 using a mixed-method approach with 837 adolescents aged 10-19, and key informant interviews, were analysed. Regression analyses were used to identify predictors of modern contraception knowledge, autonomy, gender-based violence, sexual activity, and contraception use. This was complemented with qualitative thematic content analysis. Results: Adolescents living in two rural districts had lower sexual and reproductive health knowledge compared to urban district residents. Findings showed misconceptions about the birth control pill, a belief that sex education is important, but that the current teaching quality is problematic. There was a strong positive association between knowledge and autonomy. In the two rural districts, residents were more likely to lack autonomy. Marriage was described as an autonomous decision, yet 40.4% lacked autonomy regarding marriage. Among sexually active adolescents, 35.2% used contraception. Boys and girls were said to be equal, yet education access and gender roles favoured boys. Additionally, violence was more justified by husbands against their wives. Conclusion: The study helps to understand the views and perceptions of adolescents and key informants on gender equality and gender-based violence. Three main areas require more effort and greater investment to improve adolescent sexual and reproductive health: knowledge and use of contraceptives, gender inequality, and autonomy. There is poor knowledge of contraceptive methods, indicating a need to further integrate comprehensive sexual education, introduced in primary school, and to increase investment in training and monitoring teachers.

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

“…Other important findings in our study were significant differences in between the study districts which could possibly be explained by higher background education status among women in Vangvieng. Pregnant women in Feuang district were younger which is probably linked with a high number of early marriages in this area, where 61% of the population belongs to ethnic minority groups [ 39 , 40 ]. As indicated previously in the Lao PDR Social Indicator Survey most women in the Lao-Tai ethnic group live in urban areas and have higher literacy as compared to other ethnic groups [ 24 ].…”

Achieving universal reproductive health coverage for deaf women in Ghana: an explanatory study of knowledge of contraceptive methods, pregnancy and safe abortion practices

“…The first part collected background information (gender, age, educational qualification, marital status and religion) on the study participants. The decision to collect this information was based on a review of the literature [ 1 , 2 , 12 – 17 , 20 , 35 , 38 , 49 , 50 ] and recommendations from the GNAD and experts about appropriate information to collect from deaf persons.…”

“…Most studies have reported that challenges such as lack of policies [ 28 , 29 ], low education levels [ 30 ], poverty [ 12 , 24 , 31 , 32 ], culture [ 33 , 34 ], stigma [ 8 , 16 ] and lack of parental support [ 14 , 35 ] contribute to the inability of girls and women to access SRH services. Other studies have also found that a high prevalence of teenage pregnancy is likely linked to factors such as poverty [ 12 , 25 ], illiteracy [ 30 , 36 – 38 ] and lack of awareness of contraceptive methods [ 15 ]. Furthermore, giving birth as a teenager has its own health and social drawbacks [ 37 , 39 ].…”

The sexual and reproductive health needs of young people living with HIV in Gauteng, South Africa

“…Withdrawal as a method to prevent pregnancy was reported by 16.7% of our male respondents which is twice as high as that reported by a study conducted in Lao People's Democratic Republic. 29 The current study found low consensual partner serostatus disclosure among YPLHIV. Our findings are similar to those of other studies.…”