One of the determinants of the poor improvement in child nutrition indicators observed in Laos is mothers’ feeding practices. These practices are influenced by many socio-environmental factors and are expected to be targets of public health programs against malnutrition. The purpose of this work is to examine how the Lao National Nutrition Strategy (NNS) incorporates the issue of the determinants of the behavior of mothers of young children in its recommendations. We argue that the little consideration brought in the NNS to key determinants of women’s behavior is a major explanatory factor for the poor performance in improving the nutrition status of Lao un der-five-year-old children.
KeywordsDeterminant of Infant FeedingLao PDRMotherNutrition Strategy
World Health Organization (2021) Infant and Young Child Feeding. https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-child-feeding
Dewey, K. (2001) Guiding Principles for Complementary Feeding of the Breastfed Child. https://www.who.int/nutrition/publications/guiding_principles_compfeeding_breastfed.pdf
World Health Organization (2021) Global Health Observatory (GHO) Data: Child Mortality and Causes of Death. https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/themes/topics/topic-details/GHO/child-mortality-and-causes-of-death
Chaparro, C., Oot, L. and Sethuraman, K. (2014) Laos: Nutrition Profile Nutrition Profile. https://www.fantaproject.org/sites/default/files/download/Laos-Nutrition-Profile-Apr2014.pdf
Ministry of Health Lao PDR (2018) Lao PDR: Lao Social Indicator Survey II (LSIS II) 2017. https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR356/FR356.pdf
Boulom, S., Essink, D.R., Kang, M.H., Kounnavong, S. and Broerse, J.E. (2020) Factors Associated with Child Malnutrition in Mountainous Ethnic Minority Communities in Lao PDR. Global Health Action, 13, Article ID: 1785736. https://doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2020.1785736
Barennes, H., Simmala, C., Odermatt, P., Thaybouavone, T., Vallee, J., Martinez-Ussel, B., Newton, P.N. and Strobel, M. (2009) Postpartum Traditions and Nutrition Practices among Urban Lao Women and Their Infants in Vientiane, Lao PDR. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 63, 323-331. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602928
De Sa, J., Bouttasing N., Sampson, L., Perks, C., Osrin, D. and Prost, A. (2013) Identifying Priorities to Improve Maternal and Child Nutrition among the Khmu Ethnic Group, Laos: A Formative Study. Maternal & Child Nutrition, 9, 452-66. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1740-8709.2012.00406.x
Holmes, W., Hoy, D., Lockley, A., Thammavongxay, K., Bounnaphol, S., Xeuatvongsa, A. and Toole, M. (2007) Influences on Maternal and Child Nutrition in the Highlands of the Northern Lao PDR. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 16, 537-545.
Gillespie, A., Creed-Kanashiro, H., Sirivongsa, D., Sayakoummane, D. and Galloway, R. (2004) Consulting with Caregivers: Using Formative Research to Improve Maternal and Newborn Care and infant and Young Child Feeding in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/442081468772480368/Consulting-with-caregivers-using-formative-research-to-improve-maternal-and-newborn-care-and-infant-and-young-child-feeding-in-the-Lao-Peoples-Democratic-Republic
Kaufmann, S. (2003) FAO-Nutrition Country: Laos. http://www.fao.org/3/bc651e/bc651e.pdf
Lao Statistics Bureau and World Bank (2020) Poverty Profile in Lao PDR: Poverty Report for the Lao Expenditure and Consumption Survey 2018-2019. https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/923031603135932002-0070022020/original/LaoPDRPovertyProfileReportENG.pdf
Ministry of Health Lao PDR (2015) National Nutrition Strategy to 2025 and Plan of Action 2016-2020. http://extwprlegs1.fao.org/docs/pdf/lao168828.pdf
World Health Organization (2013) Human Resources for Health Country Profiles Lao People’s Democratic Republic. WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific, Manila. https://iris.wpro.who.int/handle/10665.1/10528
Kamiya, Y. (2011) Socioeconomic Determinants of Nutritional Status of Children in Lao PDR: Effects of Household and Community Factors. Journal of Health, Population, and Nutrition, 29, 339-348.
Phengxay, M., Ali, M., Yagyu, F., Soulivanh, P., Kuroiwa, C. and Ushijima, H. (2007) Risk Factors for Protein-Energy Malnutrition in Children under 5 Years: Study from Luangprabang Province, Laos. Pediatrics International, 49, 260-265. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1442-200X.2007.02354.x
Talbert, A.W., Ngari, M., Tsofa, B., Mramba, L., Mumbo, E., Berkley, J.A. and Mwangome, M. (2016) When You Give Birth You Will Not Be without Your Mother: A Mixed Methods Study of Advice on Breastfeeding for First-Time Mothers in Rural Coastal Kenya. International Breastfeeding Journal, 11, Article No. 10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-016-0069-6
Aubel, J., Sihalathavong, D. and Kopkeo, D. (1997) Participatory Health Education Project with Grandmothers in Laos. The Grandmother Project, Maryland.
Ministry of Health Lao PDR (2009) National Nutrition Strategy and Plan of Action 2010-2015. http://www.fao.org/3/at539e/at539e.pdf
Hamilton, W.N. (2020) Factors Influencing Maternal Decision-Making on Infant Feeding Practices. Infant Feeding—Breast versus Formula. IntechOpen, London. https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/71427
Radzyminski, S. and Callister, L.C. (2016) Mother’s Beliefs, Attitudes, and Decision Making Related to Infant Feeding Choices. The Journal of Perinatal Education, 25, 18-28. https://doi.org/10.1891/1058-1243.25.1.18
Scaglioni, S., De Cosmi, V., Ciappolino, V., Parazzini, F., Brambilla, P. and Agostoni, C. (2018) Factors Influencing Children’s Eating Behaviours. Nutrients, 10, Article No. 706. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10060706
Heinig, M.J., Ishii, K.D., Banuelos, J.L., Campbell, E., O’Loughlin, C. and Vera Becerra, L.E. (2009) Sources and Acceptance of Infant-Feeding Advice among Low-Income Women. Journal of Human Lactation, 25, 163-172. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0890334408329438
Russell, C.G., Taki, S., Azadi, L., Campbell, K.J., Laws, R., Elliott, R. and Denney-Wilson, E. (2016) A Qualitative Study of the Infant Feeding Beliefs and Behaviours of Mothers with Low Educational Attainment. BMC Pediatrics, 16, Article No. 69. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-016-0601-2
Aubel, J. (2006) Grandmothers Promote Maternal and Child Health: The Role of Indigenous Knowledge Systems’ Managers. https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstream/handle/10986/10745/354580REV0Grandmothers0iknt89.pdf?sequence=1
Negin, J., Coffman, J., Vizintin, P. and Raynes-Greenow, C. (2016) The Influence of Grandmothers on Breastfeeding Rates: A Systematic Review. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 16, Article No. 91. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-016-0880-5
Ogbo, F.A., Akombi, B.J., Ahmed, K.Y., Rwabilimbo, A.G., Ogbo, A.O., Uwaibi, N.E., Ezeh, O.K. and Agho, K.E. (2020) Breastfeeding in the Community—How Can Partners/Fathers Help? A Systematic Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17, Article No. 413. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17020413