educaiton

1. James J Laskin, PT, PhD
School of Physical Therapy
&
Rehabilitation Sciences

2. • The degree of urbanization of the Lao people
has been dramatic.
• All cause mortality has shifted from infectious
diseases to those that are preventable and
chronic.
• Associated social changes in how aging parents
are cared for
• Growing elderly population.
• Little is known about this growing population of
elderly Lao in terms of Quality of Life, health
outcomes, levels of physical activity and risk for

4. • In collaboration with the Rural Development
Agency developed a survey-based strategy to
reach a large cross-section of Lao elderly in
urban, suburban and rural communities.
• For this initial effort we will focus on Vientiane
Province to show proof of concept, feasibility and
begin to create a baseline database using a
survey approach.
• Once the data has been collected and analyzed
we will be able to determine overall perceived
QOL, fall risk and habitual physical activity and
these domains vary by gender, age, ethnicity and

6. 1. Participant Characteristics
2. Elderly Health Questionnaire
3. SF-36 – Quality of Life
4. SPAQ – Physical Activity Questionnaire for
Elderly Community-Dwelling Thais
5. Thai-Frat – Thai Fall Risk Assessment Tool

7. • August – September
• Determination and translation of tools
• October
• Staff training and practice
• November – December
• Field work
• January – March
• Analysis and manuscript
• April
• Dissemination to RDA and local partners
• Future planning

9. • 399 elderly (227 women, 172 men)
• 50-60 yrs (n = 179)
• 61-70 yrs (n = 126)
• 71+ yrs (n = 94)
• 60% urban, 31% suburban, 9% rural
• 98% ethnic Lao
• 80% completed at least a primary education

10. • 20% (n=80) had a fall in the past 6 months
• Perceived General Health significantly lower in
Rural and Suburban
• Perceived Social Functioning significantly lower
in Rural and Suburban
• Perception of Physical Function significantly
lower in Suburban
• Suburban
• Least active lowest
• Highest levels of pain

11. • Critical and valuable information was collected
• The process of data collection proved feasible
• Although the sample size was beyond our initial
expectations, individuals from rural areas as well
as those 81+ were underrepresented.
• That said the individuals approached to complete
the survey were pleased and eager to
participate.
• In the future a much greater effort of time and
resources will be needed to gather data from the
rural community

12. Thank you
James.laskin@umontana.edu