This research aimed to determine the knowledge, attitudes and preventive behaviors (KAP) of adults in relation to dengue vector control measures in the communities of Vientiane, the capital of the Lao PDR. A total of 207 respondents were actively participating in this cross-sectional descriptive study in 2011. Representatives of households were interviewed face-to-face by six trained interviewers using a structured questionnaire. KAP reliabilities of 0.89, 0.91 and 0.95 were reported in the pilot sample of 30 cases. The associations between each independent variable and prevention behavior were tested with chi-square tests. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the factors that were significantly associated with preventive behavior while controlling for the other variables. The results revealed that 51.69% of the respondents had a high level of knowledge. More than 94% of the respondents knew that dengue fever is a dangerous communicable disease and that dengue fever is transmitted from person to person via mosquitoes. More than half (56.52%) of the participants had positive attitudes toward vector control measures, and 52.17% exhibited a high level of preventive behavior in terms of dengue vector control measures. Preventive behaviors were significantly associated with information provided from sources that included health personnel (p = 0.038) and heads of villages (p=0.031) and with knowledge levels (p < 0.001). This study suggests that proactive health education through appropriated mass media and community clean-up campaigns should strengthen and encourage community participation, particularly in terms of addressing mosquito larvae in overlooked places, such as the participants' own homes, for example, in flower vases and ant traps.

Cervical cancer is the most common disease among Thai women. The cervical cancer mortality rate has increased in the previous decade. Therefore, this cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the factors associated with cervical cancer screening adherence. Stratified sampling with the proportional to size method was used to select registered women aged 30-60 years. Of the 700 self-administered questionnaires distributed during July and September of 2012, 675 were returned, resulting in a response rate of 96.2%. Approximately 65.4% of the women were considered to be adherent to cervical cancer screening (i.e., maintainers) as defined by at least one screening within the recommended 5-year screening interval and the expectation of attending a screening in the future. Chi-square tests revealed that occupation, marital status, number of children, sexual activity, health insurance scheme, history of oral contraceptive pill use, perceived barriers, perceived benefits, and knowledge about cervical cancer prevention were significantly associated with cervical cancer screening adherence. After adjusting for occupation, marital status, number of children, and health insurance in the model, perceived barriers (Adj OR=1.97, 95% CI=1.24-3.10) and knowledge (Adj OR=1.65, 95% CI=1.13-2.41) remained significant predictors of cervical cancer screening adherence. These findings suggest that the non-housewives, women of single/separated/divorced/widowed status, and women with no children should be the first priorities for getting Pap tests. Strategies for overcoming the barriers of these women, such as using mobile units for cervical cancer screening, should be promoted. Education programs should be strengthened and promoted to overcome negative perceptions and knowledge deficiencies.

The objective of this study was to identify determinants of fertility desires in HIV positive women living in the Western Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea, a male-dominated, patrimonial society. A cross-sectional study was conducted to collect data in February, 2010. Two hundred and ninety one HIV-infected women participated in personal interviews using a structured questionnaire. Sixty-six percent of the respondents were in polygamous relationships. Thirty-four percent of the participants desired a child in the future. Chi-square tests revealed that variables associated with desire for a child were age, marital status, number of children, current co-habitation with a partner, duration of time with a partner, receipt of the bride price, domestic physical violence, sexual activity in the previous three months, partner’s desire for a child, and current contraceptive use. Using multiple logistic regression, a partner’s positive desire for a child was the strongest predictor, with an odds ratio of 13.04 (95% CI = 5.6 -29.91). Fertility desires were largely influenced by dominant culturally sensitive issues and the family-oriented culture. The integration of effective counseling and reproductive healthcare service into HIV clinics is recommended. Holistic, culturally-relevant and family-oriented reproductive health counseling should provide more positive outcomes for both HIV-infected women and their children

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess tuberculosis (TB) knowledge, attitudes, and practices in both the general population and risk groups in Thailand. Methodology: In a cross-sectional survey, a general population (n = 3,074) and family members of a TB patient (n = 559) were randomly selected, using stratified multistage sampling, and interviewed. Results: The average TB knowledge score was 5.7 (maximum = 10) in the Thai and 5.1 in the migrant and ethnic minorities general populations, 6.3 in Thais with a family member with TB, and 5.4 in migrants and ethnic minorities with a family member with TB. In multivariate linear regression among the Thai general population, higher education, higher income, and knowing a person from the community with TB were all significantly associated with level of TB knowledge. Across the different study populations, 18.6% indicated that they had undergone a TB screening test. Multivariate logistic regression found that older age, lower education, being a migrant or belonging to an ethnic minority group, residing in an area supported by the Global Fund, better TB knowledge, having a family member with TB, and knowing other people in the community with TB was associated having been screened for TB. Conclusion: This study revealed deficiencies in the public health knowledge about TB, particularly among migrants and ethnic minorities in Thailand. Sociodemographic factors should be considered when designing communication strategies and TB prevention and control interventions.

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