ArticleBMC public health2026
"People who have money feed formula to their infants": a qualitative study of exclusive breastfeeding barriers and potential interventions in Lao People's Democratic Republic.
Article in BMC public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
introductionThe World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life as the optimal way of feeding infants. Breastfeeding rates vary widely by geographic region, sociocultural, economic and health system factors. In urban settings such as Vientiane Capital, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, mothers face several barriers that make exclusive breastfeeding challenging. We did a qualitative study to explore these factors and understand the views of mothers, families and health workers on exclusive breastfeeding.
methodsA qualitative study was conducted in Vientiane Province, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, involving 23 mothers and 21 fathers in focus group discussions, along with in-depth interviews with 4 healthcare workers, 4 Lao Women’s Union members, 4 village health community members, and 4 elders/grandmothers. Data were transcribed, translated, coded, and analyzed using qualitative content analysis.
resultsParticipants identified multiple barriers to breastfeeding, including mode of delivery, perceived convenience of formula feeding, maternal health concerns, employment-related challenges, and insufficient milk supply. Limited and inconsistent communication from healthcare providers further contributed to these challenges. Participants also discussed potential interventions to better support breastfeeding practices.
conclusionMost participants valued breastfeeding, and most mothers expressed a strong intention to breastfeed exclusively. Strengthening supportive policies, improving breastfeeding education, and fostering breastfeeding-friendly environments may substantially improve exclusive breastfeeding practices, thereby promoting the health and well-being of both mothers and infants.
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