Local Realities and Public Health Gaps: Insights from Community and Clinical Perspectives in Laos

Aoxue Wang

doi:10.54254/2753-8818/2025.AU28022

Theoretical and Natural ScienceOpen access

Local Realities and Public Health Gaps: Insights from Community and Clinical Perspectives in Laos

Research Article

Open Access

Local Realities and Public Health Gaps: Insights from Community and Clinical Perspectives in Laos

Aoxue Wang ^1*

¹ YK Pao School

^*Corresponding author: Fionawang0129@outlook.com

Published on 23 October 2025

TNS Vol.144

ISSN (Print): 2753-8826

ISSN (Online): 2753-8818

ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-441-0

ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-442-7

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Abstract

Rural Laos faces persistent infectious disease burdens driven by weak infrastructure, low health literacy, and environmental risks. In ten Savannakhet villages, community surveys showed care-seeking was mostly for persistent fever, with little ability to identify diseases; vaccination coverage was minimal and mosquito net use inconsistent. Provider surveys confirmed dengue and malaria as leading illnesses with seasonal peaks, while diagnosis relied on symptoms and treatment remained largely supportive due to shortages of diagnostics, drugs, and staff. Infection control was limited to heat and alcohol sterilization. Field observations highlighted stagnant water, unsafe drinking sources, and close livestock proximity as additional risks. These findings underscore how knowledge gaps, resource-constrained clinics, and environmental exposures jointly hinder rural healthcare, pointing to the need for stronger health literacy, diagnostic capacity, and environmental management.

Keywords:

Laos Public Health, Disease Control, Healthcare

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References

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References

Cite this article

Wang,A. (2025). Local Realities and Public Health Gaps: Insights from Community and Clinical Perspectives in Laos. Theoretical and Natural Science,144,13-19.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

About volume

Volume title: Proceedings of ICBioMed 2025 Symposium: AI for Healthcare: Advanced Medical Data Analytics and Smart Rehabilitation

ISBN: 978-1-80590-441-0(Print) / 978-1-80590-442-7(Online)

Editor: Alan Wang

Conference website: https://2025.icbiomed.org/auckland.html

Conference date: 17 October 2025

Series: Theoretical and Natural Science

Volume number: Vol.144

ISSN: 2753-8818(Print) / 2753-8826(Online)

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