The survey was conducted to provide better direction for Lao public health program and policy planners to improve public health practice, surveillance systems, and prevention strategies and generate important information to help evaluate ongoing Lao Government health activities. | JOURNAL OF SCIENCE, Hue University, N0 61, 2010 HEALTH SEEKING BEHAVIOR ASSESSMENTS FOR RESPIRATORY ILLNESS IN THE LAO PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC (LAOS) Vanphanom Sychareun 1, Visanou Hansana 1, Bouachanh Sengphilom 1, LatsamyOulay 1, Vatsana Thamavongsa 1, Vatsana Somphet 1, Chansathit Taykeophithoune 1, Soudavanh Nathavong 1, Johnly Phanthady 1, Phetsavanh Chanthavilay 1,Bounthanom 3, Mayfong Mayxay 1, 2 1 Faculty of Post Graduate Studies, University of Health Sciences, Vientiane, Lao PDR 2 Wellcome Trust – Mahosot Hospital – Oxford University Tropical Medicine Research Collaboration, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao PDR 3 National Center for Laboratory and Epidemiology, Vientiane, Lao PDR SUMMARY Respiratory illness (RI) remains a public health problem in Laos, but little is known about its burden and people’s health seeking behavior. Among 1,751 households (9,114 people) studied, (317/9,114) had RI (fever, cough, and sore-throat) 30 days before the survey [ in rural and in peri-urban areas (P<)]. Of all sick persons, 77% sought treatment [94% in peri-urban and 48% in rural areas (P<)] and of them selfmedicated [ in peri-urban and 29% in rural areas (P<)]. Sick people in peri-urban areas preferred to chose private clinics and pharmacies as their first treatment option while in rural areas they frequently consulted with village health volunteers and visited the health centre as their first choice. Distance, costs of care, and service availability are the most important determinants of seeking care. The differences in the RI burden and health seeking behavior between the two areas of Laos are probably due to the difference in health service availability and socio-economic status Keywords: Respiratory illness, health seeking behaviour, Laos 1. Introduction Respiratory illness is a leading cause of death and disease burden worldwide (Bryce, 2005) and about 95% of the deaths occurred in developing countries (Wardlaw et .
