Factors Influencing Nutritional Status of Minority Ethnic Groups in Southern Laos Peoples Democratic Republic - What to Promote?

Nearly half of the children in Laos People’s Democratic Republic (LPDR) are classified as stunted and underweight. In addition, there are more than forty nine recognised ethnic groups to consider when implementing programs with differing food practices and dietary taboos. The Feeding the Future project is a community nutrition program which promotes culturally appropriate and locally available foods with the aim of preventing malnutrition. A research project was conducted to investigate culturally specific food and dietary behaviours, perceptions of malnutrition and infant and young child care practices in three provinces in Southern Laos to adapt this project. Ten villages were chosen by convenience sampling, which incorporated the three major ethnic groups. Triangulation of data was obtained by conducting a desktop review, key stakeholder interviews, village transects and male and female focus groups using two translators. All data was recorded in English by the researcher with a thematic analysis completed. Eighteen focus groups, six community interviews and three market audits were conducted. The food taboos, dietary practices and perceptions of malnutrition were identified for nine different ethnic groups. High rates of maternal smoking, low birth spacing, low dietary diversity and infant formula were identified as impacting on infant and maternal nutrition and areas to be addressed.The project produced a comprehensive guide describing the factors which impact on nutritional status and malnutrition in minority groups in Southern Laos. It is envisioned that this information will be used to guide culturally appropriate nutrition promotion and infant feeding programs, including the update of the Feeding the Future project resources.

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