Browsing by Author "Munasinghe, S."

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Gender Diversity in Beach Hotels in Sri Lanka
(University of Kelaniya, 2015) Herath, H.M.H.M.; Munasinghe, S.
Tourism, being the world’s largest industry, continues to grow dramatically. Moreover accommodation sector which is a major component of tourism is required to show rapid development. Though it is maturing, the gender diversity and status of women in hospitality industry has been a concern among both management practitioners and academicians. In recent years, there has been remarkable progress with respect to women closing the gender gap in managerial positions in the commercial hospitality. Yet there still seems to be what might be called “patterns of employment ghettos”, where certain departments are predominantly filled by men and others are predominantly staffed by women. This suggests that gender diversity is lacking in hospitality industry. However, research studies based on this phenomenon in the hospitality industry remains inadequately explored. Accordingly, this research paper has articulated the extent to which gender diversity is a reality in the commercial hospitality in Sri Lanka. The study focused on two major research objectives, both of which address the extent to which gender diversity is affected within the hospitality industry. The study employed qualitative methodology to collect and analyze data from beach hotels in Sri Lanka. Findings indicated structural and cultural issues that affect gender diversity in commercial hospitality. The implications of the main findings have been discussed in relation to the hospitality management education and awareness raising to bridge the sociological and cultural gap, as well as the necessary policy implementations for a flexible working environment in commercial hospitality.
How do we define normal bowel frequency from newborn to teens?:A Bayesian meta-analysis
(Wiley, 2024-12) Munasinghe, S.; Manathunga, S.; Hathagoda, W.; Kuruppu, C.; Ranasinghe, P.; Devanarayana, N. M.; Baaleman, D. F.; Benninga, M. A.; Rajindrajith, S.
OBJECTIVES Defecation disorders are a common pediatric problem and bowel frequency is crucial in identifying them. The aim of this analysis is to define normal bowel frequencies in healthy children ranging from newborns to adolescents. METHODS A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE, SCOPUS, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science from their inception to February 2024, aiming to identify studies reporting bowel habits of healthy children (0–18 years). A Bayesian distribution modeling approach was adopted to pool the mean frequency of bowel opening using inverse-variance weighing. A subgroup analysis and a meta-regression were performed with Bayesian generalized additive mixed distributional models. The methodological quality of the articles was evaluated using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale modified for cross-sectional studies. RESULTS Seventeen studies were included in the analysis, including 22,698 children aged from 0 to 18 years. The subgroup meta-analysis showed mean bowel frequencies for newborns, 1–6 months, 6–12 months, 1–2 years, 2–5 years, and over 5 years are 3.24 (95% credible interval [CrI]: 2.83–3.63), 1.99 (95% CrI: 1.77-2.19), 1.66 (95% CrI: 1.45–1.88), 1.53 (95% CrI: 1.37–1.7), 1.15 (95% CrI: 0.99–1.31), and 1.02 (95% CrI 0.88–1.18), respectively. Between studies, heterogeneity demonstrated a near-normal distribution with a mean of 0.16 and a 95% CrI of 0.04–0.28. The variance of the distribution of mean bowel frequency reduced with age. DISCUSSION In this Bayesian meta-analysis, we found that younger children have a higher bowel frequency. The reported bowel frequencies for each age group could serve as normal values in clinical practice to differentiate health and disease.
The Impact Towards the Rural Social Structure Due to Proliferation of Kidney Disease
(International Postgraduate Research Conference 2019, Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2019) Munasinghe, S.; Karunathilake, K.
The aim of the study was to understand the impact of kidney disease to the structure of the rural society of Sri Lanka. Research problem used was ‘what is the impact of kidney disease to the structure of rural community?’ The study was conducted in two Divisional Secretariat Divisions (DSDs), namely Medawachchiya and Padaviya in 2018. These DSDs are located in the Anuradhapura District Sri Lanka and these are the mostly affected DSDs where unknown kidney disease can be identified. Especially, the study is focused on the impact towards the stability of the family, household economy, children’s education, and the nature of social relationship. All households selected on the basis of kidney disease affected patients who are below age 60. Though there are different statistics in health officials it was a difficult task to identify 100 households from one Grama Niladhari Division (GND). Therefore, 100 households selected from 9 GNDs in Medawachchiya DSD while another 100 households selected from 5 GNDs in Padaviya DSD. Altogether, it was a purposive sample with 200 households. Both quantitative and qualitative methods and techniques were used in this study for data generation and data collection. Historical methods, comparative methods, functional methods and statistical methods were used as key research methods while questionnaires, observation, Key-informant Interviews and Focus Group Discussions were used as data collection tools. The study identified several key findings. They are; affected households income level has reduced extensively because most of the patients are the breadwinners of the household. Their average monthly income is Rs. 30000.00 after the disease. School attending children has victimized their education as a result of poor source of family income and time allocation of parents’ kidney disease treatments. At the time of study 5 families have stopped children’s education. There is no active program for the rural community in general and particularly effected patients to uplift their livelihood except the grant of Rs. 5000 given by the government. About 79% of the sample is under thorough medical advices, but not attending clinics and dialysis due to economic reason. There is a tendency of getting the kidney disease within close family members and the tendency is 61.5%. Thus, there is an issue of social exclusion in these study areas. The stigmatic condition prevailing in the area is a serious social problem that affected to the families and the rural social structure. There are 73 effected households who have mortgaged their properties to find required amount of money to continue recommended treatment. Especially, they have consulted medical specialists in distance places such as Colombo, Kandy, Trincomalee, etc. This situation has further aggravated the issues in family relationship and rural social structure. In addition, there are many latent issues and factors that influenced on the stability of family relationships and rural social structure. Finally, the study shows that the disease has made critical issues in affected families and the rural social structure.
Knowledge and attitudes on basic life support and associated factors, among selected nursing schools/ nursing faculties in Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2021) Thoradeniya, V.; Munasinghe, S.; Thilakarathna, G.; Jayasena, A.; Wijesooriya, N.
Introduction: Basic Life support (BLS) skills are an essential part of the medical curriculum which are utilized to save lives in emergency situations. Objectives: To determine the knowledge and attitudes in BLS and factors associated with those, among nursing students in selected nursing schools/faculties in Sri Lanka. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among a convenient sample of 325 nursing students using a pre-tested online questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used in data analysis. Results: Out of 317 valid responses, 46.4% had good knowledge while 53.6% had good attitude on BLS. The majority were females (89.3%), Sinhalese (96.2%) and Buddhists (91.2%). Majority were from nursing schools (63.7%) and were in 3rd academic year (45.7%). Among the students 71.9% had had lectures, 34.7% had experienced and 40.7% had participated in training programmes related to BLS. Non-westem province residence (p=0.010), academic year (p=0.011), BLS lectures (p=0.001), experience (0.009), practical training (0.010) were significantly associated with good knowledge. Following were statistically significantly associated with good attitude towards BLS. Religion (p= 0.027), non-westem province residence (p= 0.000), academic year (p= 0.003), having BLS lectures (p= 0.046), training programmes (p= 0.001), experience (p= 0.033), practical training (p=0.003), time since last training (p=0.005) Conclusions: From the study-population 46.4% had good knowledge & 53.6% had good attitudes towards BLS. Religion, non-westem province residence, academic year, lectures, training programs, experience in BLS were associated with good knowledge & attitudes. Therefore, implementation of more training programs, lectures on BLS is recommended.