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Why are some children under 24 months still undernourished in urban and peri-urban Vientiane? A mixed-methods study

Kethmany Ratsavong1,2, Dirk Essink2, E Pamela Wright3

  • 1Lao Tropical and Public Health Institute (Lao TPHI), Ministry of Health, Sisattanack, Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Plos One
|June 5, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Child undernutrition persists in Lao PDR despite food availability. Improving caregiver practices and communication, not just knowledge, is key to better child nutrition outcomes in urban settings.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Nutrition Science
  • Child Development

Background:

  • Child undernutrition is a persistent global challenge, particularly in low and middle-income countries (LMICs).
  • High rates of undernutrition are observed even in urban areas of Lao PDR, indicating complex underlying factors beyond food accessibility.
  • Understanding these factors is crucial for developing effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the factors contributing to persistent high rates of undernutrition among young children in urban and peri-urban Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR.
  • To identify the differences in caregiving practices and knowledge translation between well-nourished and undernourished children.
  • To inform targeted strategies for improving child nutritional status.

Main Methods:

  • A sequential explanatory mixed-methods approach was utilized.
  • Quantitative data collected via structured questionnaires from 333 mother-child pairs.
  • Qualitative data gathered through semi-structured interviews with 47 caregivers, followed by thematic analysis.

Main Results:

  • Prevalence rates: 27.3% stunting, 4.2% wasting, 14.4% underweight, 5.11% overweight among children under 24 months.
  • Caregiver's capacity to translate nutrition knowledge into practice, and quality of caregiving, were critical factors.
  • Well-nourished children's caregivers accessed diverse information sources, unlike undernourished children's caregivers who primarily relied on health services.

Conclusions:

  • Improving child nutrition requires more than just disseminating knowledge; practical application is essential.
  • Strengthening practical nutrition communication through diverse channels (e.g., videos, demonstrations) is vital.
  • Enhancing caregivers' ability to apply nutritional knowledge is central to improving child nutritional outcomes in urban and peri-urban settings.

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