Browsing by Author "Ahmed, S."

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Data resource profile: understanding the patterns and determinants of health in South Asians-the South Asia Biobank
(Oxford University Press., 2021) Song, P.; Gupta, A.; Goon, I.Y.; Hasan, M.; Mahmood, S.; Pradeepa, R.; Siddiqui, S.; Frost, G.S.; Kusuma, D.; Miraldo, M.; Sassi, F.; Wareham, N.J.; Ahmed, S.; Anjana, R.M.; Brage, S.; Forouhi, N.G.; Jha, S.; Kasturiratne, A.; Katulanda, P.; Khawaja, K.I.; Loh, M.; Mridha, M.K.; Wickremasinghe, A.R.; Kooner, J.S.; Chambers, J.C.
No abstract available
Early career psychiatrists' perspectives on managing stigma and discrimination related to suicide
(Elsevier, 2024) Shoib, S.; Chandradasa, M.; Lengvenyte, A.; Armiya'u, A.Y.; Saleem, T.; Ahmed, S.; Noor, I.M.; Nazari, S.K.; de Berardis, D.; Park, C.; Gürcan, A.; Saeed, F.
No abstract available
Feasibility of a lifestyle intervention program for prevention of diabetes among women with prior gestational Diabetes Mellitus (LIVING Study) in South Asia: A formative research study
(Frontiers Media S.A, 2020) Tewari, A.; Praveen, D.; Madhira, P.; Josyula, L.K.; Joshi, R.; Kokku, S.B.; Garg, V.; Rawal, I.; Chopra, K.; Chakma, N.; Ahmed, S.; Pathmeswaran, A.; Godamunne, P.; Lata, A.S.; Sahay, R.; Patel, T.; Gupta, Y.; Tandon, N.; Naheed, A.; Patel, A.; Kapoor, D.
AIM: To refine and contextually adapt a postpartum lifestyle intervention for prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in women with prior gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka. Materials and Methods: In-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with women with current diagnosis of GDM, and health care professionals involved in their management, to understand relevant local contextual factors for intervention optimization and implementation. This paper describes facilitators and barriers as well as feedback from participants on how to improve the proposed intervention. These factors were grouped and interpreted along the axes of the three main determinants of behavior-capability, opportunity, and motivation. IDIs and FGDs were digitally recorded, transcribed, and translated. Data-driven inductive thematic analysis was undertaken to identify and analyze patterns and themes. Results: Two interrelated themes emerged from the IDIs and FGDs: (i) The lifestyle intervention was acceptable and considered to have the potential to improve the existing model of care for women with GDM; and (ii) Certain barriers such as reduced priority of self-care, and adverse societal influences postpartum need to be addressed for the improvement of GDM care. Based on the feedback, the intervention was optimized by including messages for family members in the content of the intervention, providing options for both text and voice messages as reminders, and finalizing the format of the intervention session delivery. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of contextual factors in influencing postpartum care and support for women diagnosed with GDM in three South Asian countries. It indicates that although provision of postpartum care is complex, a group lifestyle intervention program is highly acceptable to women with GDM, as well as to health care professionals, at urban hospitals.
Integrating Outsourcing in Financing University Education in Nigeria and Sri Lanka: Case Study of Adamawa State University Mubi, Nigeria and University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Mohammed, D.; Ahmed, S.
State-owned universities in Sri Lanka and Nigeria practice outsourcing either consciously or intuitively. Outsourcing has been part of spontaneous means of generating revenue. Therefore, the concept of outsourcing is not new in financing universities in both countries. Subcontracting, consultancy, part time among others was used in describing outsourcing by various institutions in Nigeria and Sri Lanka. Due to were budget deficit in Sri Lankan government limit capital outlay in public sector organizations. In Nigeria, some state governments’ advised state owned universities to strengthen their internally generated revenues (IGR) in order to sustain the continuity of the universities. The objective of this study is to examine how outsourcing can fit into university education financing in these two countries. This study is explanatory and uses secondary data from relevant literatures available. In order to collect the data, the study selected two State Universities i.e, Adamawa State University Mubi, Nigeria and University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. The study revealed that outsourcing increases revenue in both universities under study through cost savings in recruitment, employee compensation, overtime, hazard, transport, health and insurance scheme among others. Adamawa state university division of General Studies (GST) and School of Basic and Remedial Studies (SBRS) insource and outsource teaching services whereas university of Ruhuna outsource cafeteria and cleaning services; both universities save cost worth millions of Nigerian Naira (NGN) and Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR) per annum respectively. Hence, the study recommends the integration of outsourcing in financing of university education in both countries.
Prevention of suicides associated with global warming: perspectives from early career psychiatrists
(Frontiers Research Foundation, 2023) Shoib, S.; Hussaini, S.S.; Armiya'u, A.Y.; Saeed, F.; Őri, D.; Roza, T.H.; Gürcan, A.; Agrawal, A.; Solerdelcoll, M.; Lucero-Prisno Iii, D.E.; Nahidi, M.; Swed, S.; Ahmed, S.; Chandradasa, M.
Climate change poses significant challenges to global mental health, with potential consequences including increased rates of suicide and mental health disorders. Early Career Psychiatrists (ECPs) play a crucial role in addressing these challenges. The Climate Psychiatry Alliance, a group of psychiatrists dedicated to improving mental health amidst climate change, recognizes the importance of cultivating climate-aware ECPs. Training ECPs to become confident climate-aware clinicians enables them to effectively treat patients experiencing anxiety, depression, and PTSD in the context of climate-related distress. Together with other mental health professionals, ECPs can contribute to efforts by implementing strategies for monitoring and treating mental health problems arising from climate events. Additionally, they can raise awareness about the psychological consequences and risks of suicide associated with climate change. Collaboration among ECPs from various regions is essential in developing community-based approaches and reducing vulnerabilities. ECPs must prioritize supporting vulnerable populations by advocating for increased funding for mental health support and research in affected areas. Long-term solutions to address the mental health impacts of climate change and global warming should be pursued to mitigate future suicidality. Integrating climate considerations into local mental health programs and expanding psychological support services is crucial. By promoting emotional resilience and self-awareness, ECPs can contribute to building a more climate-resilient and mentally healthy society.
Reference equations for evaluation of spirometry function tests in South Asia, and amongst south asians living in other countries
(European Respiratory Society, 2022) Leong, W.Y.; Gupta, A.; Hasan, M.; Mahmood, S.; Siddiqui, S.; Ahmed, S.; Goon, I.Y.; Loh, M.; Mina, T.H.; Lam, B.; Yew, Y.W.; Ngeow, J.; Lee, J.; Lee, E.S.; Riboli, E.; Elliott, P.; Tan, G.P.; Chotirmall, S.H.; Wickremasinghe, A.R.; Kooner, J.S.; Khawaja, K.I.; Katulanda, P.; Mridha, M.K.; Jha, S.; Ranjit, M.A.; Pradeepa, G.; Kasturiratne, A.; Chambers, J.C.
Background: There is little data to accurate interpretation of spirometry data in South Asia, a major global region with high reported burden for chronic respiratory disease. Method: We measured lung function in 7,453 healthy men and women aged over 18 years, from Bangladesh, North India, South India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, as part of the South Asia Biobank study. We first assessed the accuracy of existing equations for predicting normal forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), and FEV1/FVC ratio. We then used our data to derive (N=5589) and internally validate (N=1864) new prediction equations amongst South Asians, with further external validation amongst 339 healthy South Asians living in Singapore. Results: GLI2012 and NHANESIII consistently overestimated expiratory volumes (best fit GLI-African American, mean [sd] z-score (n=7453): FEV1 -0.94 [1.05]; FVC -0.91 [1.10]). Age, height and weight were strong predictors of lung function in our participants (p<0.001), and sex specific reference equations using these three variables were highly accurate in both internal validation (z-scores: FEV1 0.03 [0.99]; FVC 0.04 [0.97]; FEV1/FVC -0.03 [0.99]) and external validation (z-scores: FEV1 0.31 [0.99]; FVC 0.24 [0.97]; FEV1/FVC 0.16 [0.91]). Further adjustment for study regions improves the model fit, with highest accuracy for estimation of region specific lung function in South Asia. Conclusion: We present improved equations for predicting lung function in South Asians. These offer the opportunity to enhance diagnosis and management of acute and chronic lung diseases in this major global population.
Suicide among psychiatrists: From healers to seekers of mental health care
(Elsevier, 2024) Shoib, S.; Saeed, F.; Ahmed, S.; Park, C.; Roza, T.H.; Nazari, S.K.; Armiya'u, A.Y.; Berardis, D.; Mahesar, R.A.; Chandradasa, M.
Addressing suicide and mental health issues among psychiatrists, particularly during a crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic is important. several factors contribute to this risk, such as long duty hours, burnout, emotional exhaustion, exposure to secondary trauma, and the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of healthcare workers. This paper emphasizes the urgent need for interventions at individual and organizational levels to address burnout and mental health issues among psychiatrists. Supporting the mental resilience of mental health professionals will improve the mental health of the community.