Browsing by Author "Abeykoon, P."

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    Exploring factors associated with smokeless tobacco use among urban Communities in Sri Lanka
    (Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Pallewaththa, P.W.K.; Prakash, T.G.S.L.; Niwarthana, H.P.G.; Kumara, S.G.P.; Abeykoon, P.; Abeynayaka, T.D.
    Smokeless tobacco is tobacco or a tobacco product that is used by means other than smoking which implies use of unburned tobacco in the finished products. These products are intended to be used orally, sucked, chewed, gargled or applied to the gums or tooth, while fire tobacco mixtures are usually inhaled into the nostrils. Chewing tobacco is a risk in getting oral cancers and pre-cancers. Other health risks of chewing tobacco include gum disease, tooth decay and tooth loss, and possible links to other cancers and cardiovascular disease. Informal observations reveal an increase in use of smokeless tobacco among youth and adolescence. Studies or health programs related to smokeless tobacco in Sri Lanka is scarce. This study attempted to explore factors associated with smokeless tobacco use among urban communities in Sri Lanka. Study design was qualitative in nature. Subjects / sample were selected based on snow ball sampling method. The study was conducted in Colombo district. Fourteen in-depth Interviews (n=14, including 8 males and 6 females) were conducted to collect data. Inquiries were made with regard to factors effecting initiation and continuing smokeless tobacco (Here, unseen determinant factors were especially taken into consideration). Saturation method was the guiding method of data collection and data were analyzed through framework analyzing method. The study found out the following factors associated with smokeless tobacco use among urban communities in Sri Lanka; Perceptions (‘Being with the gang’, as a youth style, Group action – Ganja Set, Pampara Set, Hanz Set), Expectancies (forget problems, keep the energy, and escape from the loneliness, to gain attraction, to gain pleasure, to keep wake up at night), distributors do it secretly acting as if they are engaged in other things, compare to other substitutions this is cheap, chemical effect cannot be seen by outsiders compared to other drugs, carelessness of parents, lack of knowledge about harmfulness of the product, peers – (not to be stigma, financial support), and certain qualities of the product (no bad smell). The study recommended an effective Health Promotion intervention to address these determinant factors.
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    Psycho-social connotations in people afflicted and affected by HIV/AIDS: a preliminary report
    (Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2011) Perera, M.J.S.; Abeykoon, P.; Pathmeswaran, A.; Jayatissa, J.; Perera, B.J.C.
    INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Psychosocial ramifications are significant components in HIV infections as they affect not only those infected but also those around them in families and society. There is a scarcity of data on these aspects in Sri Lanka. This study was undertaken to ascertain the psycho-social problems faced by people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) attending the HIV clinic of the National STD/AIDS Control Programme, Colombo, Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH), Angoda, and their family members (FMs). METHODS: It was a prospective cross-sectional descriptive analytical study. The study sample consisted of 100 PLHIVs and 100 FMs (one FM for each of the PLHIV). The clinical notes were perused and a pre-tested, interviewer administered, purpose-designed questionnaire together with the internationally validated General Health Questionnaire 30 (GHQ-30) were administered to all 200 patients. Results: Among PLHIVs 69 were males and among FMs 26 were males. Psychological distress (GHQ score more than 5) was present in 53 PLHIVs and 32 FMs. Some of the common adverse experiences of the PLHIVs were change of job (38 out of 82 employed persons), experiencing stigma (14%) and problems with clinic attendance (43%). Main fears of PLHIVs were suffering, rejection by family and or friends and rejection by community. A similar trend was seen with FMs. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed a significant occurrence of psycho-social disturbances in PLHIV and their FMs.