Browsing by Author "Kumara, M.S.M.S."

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Survey on the health status of the undergraduates of Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya
(Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2020) Umagiliya, K.S.; Mendis, G.L.L.S.,; Caldera, P.A.D.S.P.,; Deshapriya, H.K.I.L.,; Dewanthi, K.A.T.; Malshika, N.N.D.; Serasinghe, B.K.; Tharika, W.G.D.S.; Weerakoon, H.L.A.,; Samarakoon, T.; Kumara, M.S.M.S.; Liyanage, U.P.
The health status of an undergraduate has a huge impact on their individual aspects such as mental and physical wellbeing, academic performances on the university standards as well as on many key fields of a country. However, a small effort is put in identifying the factors affecting the health status and evaluating them with the objective of improving the health status of undergraduates. This survey presents valid evidence about the habits that determine their health status, physically and mentally. A sample of 384 out of 2203 undergraduates was selected from the faculty of science using a stratified sampling technique for the evaluation, considering the academic levels of the undergraduates. According to the analysis, majority of the undergraduates (63.54%) from the faculty of science are having preferable body mass index (BMI) value, but minority of undergraduates are having obesity. A significant amount of undergraduates having underweight and overweight BMI-categories was also observed. Out of the undergraduates, who were having preferable BMI values, a considerable percentage (51.82%) of undergraduates were observed to be consuming 2-3 liters of water per day. Due to the heavy workload in academics resulting the extra works such as assignments, tutorials, course work etc..., a high percentage of undergraduates were not engaging in physical exercises (59.38%) and sports (66.93%). Swimming was observed as the most popular sport among the undergraduates and it was followed by cricket and football. A higher percentage of undergraduates were observed to participate in sports activities and physical exercises in order to maintain good health and to reduce the anxiety and stress. The analysis highlights that the undergraduates who were having preferable BMI values consume 2-3 liters of water per day, engage in sports and physical activities, maintain good food patterns and have good sleep. Even though the above factors were taken into consideration, there could still exist certain other specific factors that have a significant influence on the health status of an undergraduate. Being healthy is rather a lifestyle that constitutes healthier and wise choices for food and level of water consumption, being positive minded etc. Thus, if the challenge of evaluating and optimizing the health status of undergraduates is achieved; they could make into being more content and positive in every aspect of his or her university performances and peer interactions.
A survey on usage of canteens of University of Kelaniya by students of Faculty of Science
(Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Dias, S.N.U.P.; Priyasad, H.A.D.; Manamperi, D.K.S.; Kumara, M.S.M.S.; Sandaruwan, D.M.S.; Pramoda, K. A.D.A.; Fernando, T.S.D.; Rashmi, W.A.D.; Ravindran, U.M.; Dhananjani, W.T.; Pitigalaarachchi, P.A.A.C.; Attanayake, A.M.C.H.
The university canteens while providing meals are an important meeting point for both students and staff members. There are several canteens within a university but service provided by canteens and therefore, students’ preferences for canteens may be different. This survey is based on five main canteens at the University of Kelaniya; Base, Gym, Hilton, Staff and Hostel canteens. The aim of this survey is to understand the usage of the canteens by students of the Faculty of Science. The objectives are to identify the frequently visited canteen of the students and the reasons for it, categorize the most visited canteen by gender, year of study, accommodation type, measure the satisfaction on available facilities of university canteens and classify the student expectations regarding the facilities. The survey was conducted during the period of September – November 2015. Among the 1394 students registered in the Faculty of Science, 255 respondents were randomly selected using simple random sampling method (without replacement). An appropriate questionnaire was developed in order to gather data and achieve the objectives. After a pilot survey was conducted, questionnaire was administered in person and online and also by interviewing busy students in order to collect data. The analysis reveals that the majority of students (41%) of the Faculty of Science visited Base canteen for their needs; whereas 25% visited Staff canteen and 22% visit the Gym canteen. The usage does not change irrespective of whether the student stays at the hostel, boarding place or home. The reason for using the Base canteen is convenience in reaching the canteen. Female students (49%) use the Base canteen whereas male students (38%) prefer to use Staff canteen. Lunch is the preferred meal compared to breakfast, dinner and other snacks. The majority of first year students visit the Base canteen, 2nd year students prefer to visit Gym and Staff canteens than the Base canteen and 3rd year students prefer the Base canteen. Majority of the students (29%) have ranked the condition of Base canteen as average and 14% have ranked as good. When considering the attitude of the staff members of the canteens, Base and Staff canteens’ employees have been highly ranked as ‘Average’ by most of the respondents (19% and 17% respectively) while ‘Good’ was marked by 15%. Most of the respondents have marked as ‘Average’ considering the service speed of canteens in the university and around 20% of students have claimed that the service speed is low over all canteens. In general, only 45% of the students are satisfied with the facilities provided by the canteens. Most of the students (23%) have requested to expand the space within the canteens and requested to have air conditioning, TVs and vending machines within the canteens. The survey discloses important findings about the usage of university canteens by students of the Faculty of Science.