Survey on the Awareness of Children's Illness by Their Mothers of Minorities Living in Northern Hilly Area, Lao P. D. R / 国際保健医療

ABSTRACT

<b>Objectives</b><br> Many ethnic groups live in northern hilly area in Lao people’s Democratic Republic. We can find some delays of development by the geographical and cultural reasons. This research clarified what kind of awareness about children’s health among the minority people living with their specificlifestyles and circumstances.<br><b>Methods</b><br> The participatory research for health problems was conducted to Khamu people at C-village in northern Laos. Data were analyzed qualitatively. Mothers who have children aged less than 10 years, were interviewed about illness of children and its treatment. The author interviewed about health problems with some key persons who were important position in the village.<br><b>Results</b><br> At C-village, they produced sticky rice which was their staple food. They depended on other food from forests. Mothers are aware that their children were always healthy when children were vigorous. Mothers brought their children to the hospital in spite of its long way when children got illness. Children had some experiences of malaria, diarrhea and other illnesses. Villagers stored up the knowledge of illness by themselves with their experience that children getting serious by specific illness. The key persons were also aware of health problems, for example malaria or parasite diseases.<br><b>Conclusion</b><br> At C-village, in recent years they didn’t suffer serious starving. Houses were comfortable because of its well-ventilated against hotness but structure of their houses can’t prevent children’s health by the aggression of mosquito, and smoke from kitchen. Their lives were exposed to some harmful influence; by malaria and pastured animals. About children’s health, mothers were aware of some specific illness and brought children to hospital. Mothers thought that their children had not any problems of health when they were vigorous and active. Many children had suffered some illness and villagers stored up the knowledge of illness by themselves with their experience that children got serious situation by specific illness.<br>The key-persons and villagers expected infrastructural developments such as the high-way which was under construction at that time.