Browsing by Author "Fernando, C.M.P."

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    Knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about liver transplantation among caregivers of children with liver diseases; a single centre experience from Sri Lanka
    (Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2023) Gunaratne, A.L.S.N.; Gunarathna, P.G.P.D.; Gunawardana, A.D.J.N.; Hansamali, U.V.S.; Heenkenda, H.M.A.N.; Ekanayaka, J.; Fernando, C.M.P.
    INTRODUCTION: Paediatric Liver transplantation (PLT) is evolving in Sri Lanka. There is no data documented related to caregivers' knowledge of PLT. OBJECTIVES: To determine the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about liver transplantation (LT) among caregivers of children with liver diseases. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among the caregivers attending the paediatric liver clinic at Ragama. The calculated sample size was 186. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics with SPSS 27.0 were used for analysis. Ethical approval was obtained from the Faculty of Medicine, Ragama. Since there were no previous similar studies, as the tool, we used a newly designed, pre-tested questionnaire which included the basic facts about the knowledge of LT. RESULTS: Of 186 caregivers, the majority were mothers (n=107, 57%). A mixed religious background was noted with Buddhists, Catholics, Islam and Hindus being 80%, 11%, 7% and 2% respectively. Most were educated up to or above the GCE ordinary level (n=180, 97%). The majority (n=124, 68%) were from low-income families with a monthly income of less than 50,000 LKR. Almost half of the participants, 89 (47.8%) knew someone who had undergone an LT. Knowledge of having PLT within the country, living donation, diseased donation, blood group matching and life-long medications were accurate in 171 (91.9%), 170 (91%, 75 (40%), 172 (92%), 116 (62%) respectively. Regarding the beliefs and attitudes towards LT, 170 (91%) were willing to donate and 144 (77%) indicated to support LT. There were 32 (17%) who believed that liver diseases can be cured with alternative medicine and 103 (55%) believed being religious would result in better outcomes. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of LT among caregivers is promising with a positive attitude. Some of their beliefs seem to be non-scientific.
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    Role of dipsticks in diagnosis of urinary tract infection in children: is it accurate enough
    (Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians, 2015) Fernando, C.M.P.; Galappaththi, A.G.A.R.; Punchihewa, P.M.G.; Karunaratne, G.K.D.; Warnakulasuriya, D.T.D.
    BACKGROUND:Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common problem in childhood. Urine culture is the Gold standard for diagnosis. Dipstick tests for leucocyte esterase reaction (LE) and nitrites (N) are bedside tests useful in the diagnosis of UTI. Accuracy of above tests have been extensively investigated in other countries. No published data is available from Sri Lankan children up to date.OBJECTIVES:To study the diagnostic accuracy of dipstick tests in diagnosis of UTI in Sri Lankan children.DESIGN, SETTING AND METHOD:Descriptive, cross sectional study was conducted in a medical ward at Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children. 300 children less than 12 years, clinically suspected of UTI were recruited. Dipstick tests (LE and N) and urine culture were performed.RESULTS:Of the 300 children, 118 (39.3%) had positive cultures (pure growth of bacteria >105 cfu/ml), 16 (54%) had negative cultures and 20 (6.7%) had mixed growth. Cultures with mixed growths were excluded and remaining 280 were analyzed. Mean age of the participants was 49 months (SD 41.3), 148 (53%) being males.Accuracy of dipsticks tests (LE and N) in detecting UTI was as follows. LE and N in combination had a sensitivity of 97.5%, specificity of 77.2%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 75.6% and negative predictive value (NPV) of 97.6%. LE alone showed a sensitivity of 96.6% specificity of 77.7%, PPV of 76% and NPV of 96.9%. Corresponding values for N alone were 78.8%, of 97.5%, 95.8% and 86.3% respectively.CONCLUSIONS:Leucocyte esterase reaction and nitrite test in combination showed promising results to detect UTI in children. LE was more sensitive and N was more specific.