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Critical evaluation of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) prevention health communication content on selected Facebook pages in Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2023) Wanasinghe, T.; Abeykoon, A.; Athauda, L. K.; Chandratilake, M.
Non-communicunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death locally and globally. Education and health promotion are vital in NCD prevention and Facebook has become a popular medium of health communication. The aim of this study was to critically evaluate the health communication theories and strategies used for NCD prevention on selected Facebook content in Sri Lanka. A Facebook content analysis was conducted on purposively selected posters, videos, and 2D/3D animations addressing physical inactivity and unhealthy diets published on the official Facebook pages of the -Non-Communicable Disease Unit and Health Promotion Bureau and Nutrition Division of Ministry of Health from 2018-2022. User engagement, the overall theme, and the adaptation of the health communication strategy (social marketing mix and Laswell’s Communication model), and Health Communication Theory, based the Health Belief Model were analyzed deductively. Health communication theory and strategy used was scored between zero to three for six components each using the corresponding pre-designed marking scheme. Out of 28 videos and 109 still posts, related to unhealthy diets and physical inactivity 15 (10 videos and 05 posts) were selected based on the page published, topic and the highest engagement. Content related to physical activity was limited to 25%. The top four content with the highest social engagement content expressed a low adaptation to theory and a high level of strategic exposure. Health Communication strategy evaluation highest score (94%) was obtained by a video addressing health diets from the Nutrition Division and the highest score for health communication adaption (94%) was obtained by a salt reduction by the Health Promotion Bureau. Overall, the evaluation data reflected that the content chosen from all these Facebook pages had a high level of health communication strategic focus, but a very low level of health communication theoretical underpinning. Strategically sound content showed high user engagement.
Evaluation of phytochemical composition and antioxidant properties of ethanol extract of bark of Dialium ovoideum thwaites
(Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2023) Chathurangani, D. A. U.; Udukala, D. N.; Gunaratna, M. J.
Antioxidants have been discovered to play an important function in protecting the body from damage caused by reactive free radicals via interacting with free radicals, chelating, and serving as oxygen scavengers. Dialium ovoideum thwaites, an endemic plant in Sri Lanka, which is locally identified as Gal Siyambala. Leaves of D. ovoideum thwaites have been reported to possess antioxidant properties. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the phytochemical profile and evaluate the antioxidant properties of the ethanol extract of the bark of D. ovoideum thwaites. The extract was prepared using the Soxhlet extraction method and it was subjected to phytochemical screening using standard procedures. The gravimetric method was utilized to conduct the quantitative analysis of flavonoids, tannins, and saponins. Folin-Ciocalteau assay was used to determine the total phenolic content. DPPH radical scavenging and ferric-reducing power assays were used to determine the antioxidant properties. The results of qualitative phytochemical screening showed the presence of phenols, flavonoids, saponins, steroids and tannins. In quantitative analysis, the phytochemical constituents indicated 10.7% (w/w) of flavonoids, 1.1% (w/w) of tannins and 0.9% (w/w) of saponins. The total phenolic content was 233.4±22.7 mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract while the IC50 value for the DPPH assay was 68.5±6.3 μg/mL which is comparable to ascorbic acid (32.0±2.1 μg/mL). The reducing potential of the extract showed that it possesses a significant (p<0.05) reductive potential as compared with the ascorbic acid standard. Results revealed that the ethanol extract of the bark of D. ovoideum thwaites exhibits antioxidant properties which are positively correlated with its total phenolic content.
Study on household waste management practices of undergraduates
(Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2023) Suraweera, D. D. D.; Alahapperuma, K. G.
Lifestyle changes of people have brought an increase in nature and the amount of waste generated in domestic households. A large fraction of household-generated waste consists of biodegradable materials. The rest includes plastic and glass materials as well as parts of used electronic-based appliances. To achieve sustainable development, United Nations’ 2030 agenda suggests preventing, reducing, recycling, and reuse of waste. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify how different categories of domestic waste are disposed of by a selected Sri Lankan community. The study was carried out as a survey, involving residences of undergraduates of the University of Vocational Technology. A structured questionnaire was distributed online, among 390 students. However, only 36.7% (143) of students responded. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data. The study findings indicated that, at present, only 47% of houses separate waste as bio-degradable and non-biodegradable, and 24% of the overall residences discard mixed wastes. A proportion of 57% of the houses burn polythene wastes, while burning is also the disposing method of rubbery debris by 37% and packing material like polystyrene and other discarded plastics by 35% of the houses, respectively. Interestingly, 83.3%, 81.8%, and 50% of the residences respectively handover electrical/electronic, metallic and paper based wastes to waste-collectors. However, 24.5 % dump the glass and other ceramic-based waste into a pit. Students’ responses indicate that 14% of them do not have an understanding of hazardous waste and disposal. Hence, there is a requirement for a concentrated intervention at different levels to educate university students as well as the general public on how to dispose waste safely.
In vivo control of Aspergillus flavus on stored rice by slow-release formulations of cinnamon and lemongrass oil
(Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2023) Kumarathunga, P. G. J. D.; Chathurangi, S.; Rajapaksha, S.; Wickramarachchi, S. R.
Aspergillus flavus is one of the major storage fungi producing aflatoxins on stored grains. Consumption of such foods causes serious health problems in humans due to aflatoxin contamination. The use of plant essential oils is gaining increased attention due to their wide acceptance by consumers and their natural and safety and efficacy. In this study, cinnamon leaf oil and lemongrass oil were microencapsulated using chitosan to obtain controlled release of the oils. Essential oils were microencapsulated using ionotropic gelation method with sodium tripolyphosphate as the crosslinking agent. Both oils were obtained from the local market and analysed using GC-MS. The paddy samples (Bg11-11) were obtained from the Rice Research Institute Bathalgoda, Sri Lanka. A. flavus was isolated from an old rice sample and identified based on morphological and molecular characteristics. The minimum inhibitory dose and the minimum lethal dose of each oil against A. flavus was determined on stored rice. According to GC-MS analysis, the major constituents of cinnamon oil were eugenol (56.49%) and beta-caryophyllene (9.03%) whereas lemongrass oil has Citral-A (45.55%) and Citral-B (36.26%) as major constituents. According to the in-vivo assay, the antifungal activity of both free oils was higher than that of corresponding microencapsulated oils, indicating the controlled-release of oils from microcapsules. Cinnamon oil chitosan microcapsules (CNO-CS-MCs) showed higher antifungal activity against A. flavus than that of lemongrass oil chitosan microcapsules (LGO-CS-MCs). The minimum inhibitory dose of CNO-CS-MCs was 5 mg per 2×107 spores, and that of LGO-CS-MCs was 7.5 mg per 2×107 spores. The minimum lethal dose of CNO-CS-MCs was 12.5 mg per 2×107 spores. Furthermore, the inhibition duration of the fungi by CNO-CS-MCs was longer than that of LGO-CS-MCs, indicating the bioavailability of CNO-CS-MCs is higher than the LGO-CS-MCs. These slow-release formulations have a great potent as green pesticides against A. flavus on stored grains.
A guide to instructional design models for digital learning in higher education - A scoping review
(Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2023) Senadheera, V. V.; Ediriweera, D. S.; Rupasinghe, T. P.
Instructional design (ID) is a systematic process that is used to develop education and training programs in a consistent and reliable way. A key challenge faced by educators is selecting an ID model by deciding which ID model will be more suitable in order to achieve an effective digital teaching and learning process. The objective of this scoping review was to present recommendations to select ID models for digital learning in higher education. Nine databases were searched for eligible publications. The study selection was performed using the Covidence platform. The search retrieved 643 records. Forty articles from 23 countries covering 15 fields of study which were published from 2001 to 2022 were included in this review. Among them, 30 studies used existing ID models (i.e. number of articles which used each ID model: ADDIE - 20, Rapid prototyping - 3, 4C/ID model - 2, Morrisons, Ross and Kemp (2004) – 2, IDEA – 1, ASSURE – 1, Six-step blended learning conversion model – 1) and the rest created new ID models. Results show that employing a systematic process in instructional design (an ID model) has produced an effective, consistent and reliable digital teaching and learning process in higher education. Selecting an ID model should be based on the requirements of the course, timeline, resources available for the design and development of the course and the expertise in the ID process. ADDIE is the most commonly used ID model because it provides a generic process for developing instructional materials which can be used in all three modes (face-to-face, blended and online) and can be used by academics and instructional designers new to ID. When ID models in current practice are not adequate to meet the needs of a course, new ID models can be created based on existing ID models to fulfil those needs.