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Vientiane: Difference between revisions

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By the late 1980s, birth control was accessible again<ref>[http://countrystudies.us/laos/48.htm Laos - Population]</ref>, though it was primarily adopted by urban women. In the remote and rural areas, the rate of contraceptive use remained very low into the 1990s, and in areas that were far from provincial capitals or the Thai border, contraceptive usage was "virtually nonexistent," according to one source.<ref>[http://countrystudies.us/laos/48.htm Laos - Population]</ref>  
By the late 1980s, birth control was accessible again<ref>[http://countrystudies.us/laos/48.htm Laos - Population]</ref>, though it was primarily adopted by urban women. In the remote and rural areas, the rate of contraceptive use remained very low into the 1990s, and in areas that were far from provincial capitals or the Thai border, contraceptive usage was "virtually nonexistent," according to one source.<ref>[http://countrystudies.us/laos/48.htm Laos - Population]</ref>  


Some inroads are also being made in rural communities, where volunteer workers, known as community-based distribution (CBD) workers, are educating their communities and distributing free contraceptives. The CBD workers have received training from the Laotian government and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). One of the main issues is that the majority of the CBD workers are male (not female). To read more about CBD workers in Laos, click [https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/jan/13/condoms-contraceptive-pills-laos-birth-control-family-planning here].
As of 2017, Laos is a changed country, and the years of the birth control ban are long gone. While rural communities still have low birth control usage, some inroads are being made. Community-based distribution (CBD) workers, are educating their communities and distributing free contraceptives. The CBD workers have received training from the Laotian government and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). One of the main issues is that the majority of the CBD workers are male (not female). To read more about CBD workers in Laos, click [https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/jan/13/condoms-contraceptive-pills-laos-birth-control-family-planning here].


Today, over half of Laotian women use some form of birth control. Some unmarried women report feeling shamed by judgmental health care providers,<ref>[http://reliefweb.int/report/lao-peoples-democratic-republic/analysis-reproductive-healthcare-lags-laos Analysis: Reproductive healthcare lags in Laos]</ref> yet others report that they can easily purchase contraceptives at their local pharmacy.
Today, over half of Laotian women use some form of birth control. Some unmarried women report feeling shamed by judgmental health care providers,<ref>[http://reliefweb.int/report/lao-peoples-democratic-republic/analysis-reproductive-healthcare-lags-laos Analysis: Reproductive healthcare lags in Laos]</ref> yet others report that they can easily purchase contraceptives at their local pharmacy.
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* In Vientiane, you can find '''condoms''' in many stores and minimarts.
* In Vientiane, you can find '''condoms''' in many stores and minimarts.
* You can purchase '''oral contraceptives (birth control pills)''' at pharmacies. No prescription is required. Some of the brands you can expect to see are Anna and Preme, which are both produced by Thai Nakorn Patana (a Thai pharmaceutical company).<ref>[http://contraceptive.ippf.org/search?search.searchtext=&search.component=&search.countrycode=LA IPPF Laos]</ref> Some locals have warned against purchasing medications from China or Vietnam, since they may be lower-quality or unreliable.<ref>[https://www.travelfish.org/beginners_detail/laos/21 Awkward healthcare questions in Laos]</ref>
* You can purchase '''oral contraceptives (birth control pills)''' at pharmacies. No prescription is required. Some of the brands you can expect to see are Anna and Preme, which are both produced by Thai Nakorn Patana (a Thai pharmaceutical company).<ref>[http://contraceptive.ippf.org/search?search.searchtext=&search.component=&search.countrycode=LA IPPF Laos]</ref> Some locals have warned against purchasing medications from China or Vietnam, since they may be lower-quality or unreliable.<ref>[https://www.travelfish.org/beginners_detail/laos/21 Awkward healthcare questions in Laos]</ref>
* From a local: "IUDs and implants are available at central and provincial hospitals. Depo is out there but not sure how easy to find hospitals offering it these days. There is a gyn at Alliance (not every day and schedule changes). There used to be a gyn via the French clinic (booking ahead) but not sure now. Both clinics can offer services via their GPs as well."
** One local health care professional says (June 2017): "OC pills are widely available in most pharmacies and from public and private hospitals, even in rural areas. The brands will vary and providers may not stock consistent problems [sic: brands]. This can be an issue because it means that women may not always be able to find the brand that they are used to, especially in areas where the outlet may be bringing the drugs in from Thailand, Vietnam, China, etc. A lot of providers just drive over the border to buy their stocks."<ref>[Online Conversation with Health Care Professional]</ref>
* For details on where to get certain procedures, please check out the "Gynecological Exams" section.
* If you want an '''IUD''', you can get them at public hospitals in Vientiane, such as Ban Home Health Center, Chanthabouly district hospital, etc. You can also probably get the insertion procedure at private hospitals, such as Alliance and the French Clinic. For a full list of hospitals, visit the "Gynecological Exams" section.
* According to locals, you should be able to find '''contraceptive implants''' in Laos, but we need more details.<ref>[Online Conversation with Health Care Professional]</ref>
* According to locals, you should be able to find '''contraceptive injectables''' in Laos, but we need more details.<ref>[Online Conversation with Vientiane Local]</ref>


===Costs===
===Costs===

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