Evidence map›Paper›PMID 33780460›Full record

ArticlePloS one2021

Maternal health literacy on mother and child health care: A community cluster survey in two southern provinces in Laos.

Sysavanh Phommachanh, Dirk R Essink, Pamela E Wright, Jacqueline E W Broerse, Mayfong Mayxay

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 23 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
23citing papers in PubMed
7.8field-weighted citation impact, top 3% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

23 citing papers in PubMed, 41 citations in OpenAlex.

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  11. Factors Influencing Maternal Health Literacy in Postpartum Women.International journal of women's health · 2025
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors at 3 institutions in 6 countries.

Sysavanh PhommachanhInstitute of Research and Education Development, University of Health Sciences, Ministry of Health, Vientiane, Lao PDR.ORCID 0000-0002-5637-9414
Dirk R EssinkVrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Athena Institute and Amsterdam Public Health Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Pamela E WrightGuelph International Health Consulting, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Jacqueline E W BroerseVrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Athena Institute and Amsterdam Public Health Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Mayfong MayxayInstitute of Research and Education Development, University of Health Sciences, Ministry of Health, Vientiane, Lao PDR.
University of Health Science · KHVrije Universiteit Amsterdam · NLHealth Action International · NL

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

rationalIncreased maternal health literacy (MHL) has contributed considerably to maternal and child health outcomes in many countries. Malnutrition, and low coverage of child vaccination and breastfeeding are major health concerns in Laos, but there is little insight into mothers' literacy on these issues. The aim of this study was to identify the level of MHL of Lao mothers and to explore factors influencing it, in order to provide evidence that can inform policies and planning of health services.

methodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted using a questionnaire on health literacy (ability to access, understand, appraise and apply health-related information) in relation to care during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. We interviewed 384 mothers with children aged under five years; 197 from urban and 187 from rural areas. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied to analyze the data.

resultsOverall, MHL of Lao mothers was very low in both urban and rural areas; 80% of mothers had either inadequate or problematic MHL, while only 17.4% had sufficient and 3.5% excellent MHL. The MHL scores were significantly higher in urban than in rural areas. One third of mothers found it very difficult to access, understand, appraise and apply information on mother and child (MCH). Health personnel were the main source of MCH information for the mothers. Years of schooling, own income, health status, and number of ANC visits significantly predicted a higher level of MHL (R square = 0.250; adjusted R square = 0.240, P = <0.001).

conclusionsMHL of Lao mothers was inadequate in both urban and rural areas. Socio-demographics and key practices of the mothers were significantly associated with a better level of MHL. Health education on MHL to mothers in both urban and rural areas needs attention, and could best be done by improving the quality of health providers' provision of information.

Indexed as

Delivery of Health CareHealth LiteracyAdolescentAdultCross-Sectional StudiesEducational StatusFemaleHealth StatusHumansLaosMiddle AgedMothersPostpartum PeriodPregnancyPrenatal CareRural Population

Identifiers

PMID33780460
PMCPMC8007003
OpenAlexW3145738913

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.