Browsing by Author "Selliah, S."

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    Acceptability of a web-based character strengths module for early adolescent school children
    (Postgraduate Institute of Medicine University of Colombo, 2023) Chandradasa, M.; Williams, S.; Sumanasiri, S.; Selliah, S.; Gunarathne, P.; Paric, A.; Ravindran, N.; Kuruppuarachchi, K.A.L.A; Ravindran, A.
    BACKGROUND: Frequent socio-political conflicts in the past decades have adversely affected the well-being of youth in Sri Lanka. There is a need to support youth development, mitigate past trauma, and promote social harmony. School-based interventions to improve character development, emotional regulation, and tolerance have good evidence and may benefit adolescents in Sri Lanka. Our objective was to develop a novel character strength program in Sinhala to promote Leadership, Empathy, Altruism, Personal Growth, and Social Responsibility (LEAPS). This program consists of ten web-based modules and is facilitated by teachers. This initial evaluation focuses on the first module and its acceptability among students and teachers. METHOD: Program modules were developed by a child and adolescent psychiatrist with the support of mental health and educational experts. The first module was piloted among grade 8 students (12-14 years) and teachers of two schools in the Gampaha District. It was designed to be interactive and contains various cultural activities and questions. On completion, participants gave feedback online via Likert scales. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya. RESULTS: A total of 115 students and 66 teachers participated. Overall, more than 95% of students and teachers found the module appropriate and suitable. The students had more favourable ratings for the module compared to the teachers on aspects of understanding the content (p<0.001), ability to complete by self (p<0.001), suitability to age (p<0.001), shorter time for completion (p<0.001) and suitability of the design (p<0.001). Both groups suggested that the pictures and activities be increased. CONCLUSIONS: Teaching character strengths using a web-based intervention was well accepted by adolescent students and teachers in Sri Lanka.
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    A comparative study of patients with pancreatic calcification in Sri Lanka
    (The College of Surgeons of Sri Lanka and SAARC Surgical Care Society, 2003) de Silva, M.; Selliah, S.; Thabrew, I.
    INTRODUCTION: Although alcohol abuse is a common cause of pancreatic calcification in the west, a non-alcoholic form called Tropical caicific Pancreatitis (TCP) is recognized in Asian countries.OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical, biochemical, radiological and endoscopic profiles and success of endotherapy of TCP with Alcoholic Calcific Pancreatitis (ACP). METHODS:Biochemical assay. and ERCPs were performed on 50 patients with pancreatic calcification.There were 28 TCP and 22 ACP in the sample. Mean age of ACP (43.7y SD 8.9) was higher than TCP (37.7 SD 10 p<0/05). ACP was exclusively seen among males.Mean age of onset of pain was lower in the TCP. Nearly 80% of TCP had pain scores more or equal to 7 compared to 54.5% in ACP. Onset of diabetes mellitus in TCP occurred earlier than ACP (34y Vs 40y). Mean serum insulin and duodenal trypsin levels were higher in the TCP patients. On x-ray 85% of TCP had coarse calcium plaques and 71.4% of ACP had speckled plaques. ERCP was successful in nearly 70% of the total sample and 50% underwent stenting. Adequate pain relief was observed in 50% in TCP and 54% in ACP. CONCLUSION:Onset of pain and diabetes mellitus occurred at a younger age in TCP. Although more intraductal plaques were seen in TCP, no difference was observed in the response to endotherapy.
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    Descriptive study of chronic calcific pancreatitis in Sri Lanka
    (Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2005) de Silva, M.; Selliah, S.; Thabrew, I.
    OBJECTIVES: To describe the potential risk factors, clinical features, biochemical and radiological features, and management of chronic calcific pancreatitis. DESIGN: Cross-sectional descriptive study. SETTING: Tertiary care general hospital. PATIENTS: Fifty patients with pancreatic calcification referred to the Colombo South Teaching Hospital, and 50 age-matched controls from healthy relatives or friends of the patients. MEASUREMENT: Height and weight measurements, immunoreactive insulin levels and trypsin levels of duodenal aspirates were estimated. Plain abdominal xray and ultrasonography were performed. INTERVENTION: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP) was attempted on all patients during which duodenal aspirates were collected. Success rates of ERCP and response to endotherapeutic procedures were recorded. RESULTS: Twenty two of the 50 chronic calcific pancreatitis (CP) patients were diagnosed to have chronic alcoholic calcific pancreatitis(CACP). Mean age of the CACP patients was significantly higher than that of the chronic calcific pancreatitis of the tropics (CCPT) patients. Severe malnutrition (BMI < 20), frequent consumption of Manihot esculenta (manioc, cassava) and a high consumption of chilli or pepper were identified as possible risk factors for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic CP. Onset of diabetes occurred at a much younger age in the CCPT group than in the CACP group. Mean serum insulin was significantly higher in the CCPT group than in the CACP group and duodenal trypsin level was significantly lower in the CCPT than in CACP group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm the existence of both alcoholic (CACP) and non-alcoholic (CCPT) types of chronic calcific pancreatitis in Sri Lanka. A larger study is required to confirm the associated risk factors such as Manihot esculenta and foods with a high content of chilli or pepper
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    Prevalence of migraine among medical students of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya
    (Sri lanka Medical Association, 2015) Gunawardane, W.D.M.A.; Amarathunga, A.A.C.; Hakmana, K.R.; Warnakuiasuriya, D.T.D.; Selliah, S.
    INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Migraine is identified as a common primary headache disorder which represents a significant global health problem due to its frequency and substantial disability. Migraine among medical students seems to be higher than the population prevalence. Our objective was to determine the overall prevalence of headache and the prevalence of undiagnosed migraine among medical students in University of Kelaniya. METHOD: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya. 422 Sri Lankan medical students from first to fifth academic years were selected. A self-administered questionnaire in English medium was used to gather data. ID--Migraine™, a widely used screening instrument for identifying migraine at primary health services, was used to identify undiagnosed migraine. The cut-off for a test diagnosis of migraine headache was at least two positive responses. RESULTS: 375 participated in the study, where the females were the majority (63.5%). Diagnosed migraine prevalence was 7.5%. 46 (12.26%) students having more than 2 episodes of headache in the last 3 months were positive for migraine screening. Among those diagnosed with migraine, ID Migraine screening positives were significantly higher (p=0.005). Prevalence of migraine was higher among female medical students (13.1%).The main trigger factors were irregular sleep (89.2%) and exams (62.2%). Academic performance of 43.2% was affected due to migraine headaches. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of migraine among medical students of University of Kelaniya is lower than other studies, but many are undiagnosed. Migraine adversely affects on the academic performance.
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    Protective effect of vitamin E in kidney storage solution on renal tissue metabolism in rats
    (Sri Lanka Medical Association, 1995) Selliah, S.; de Mel, T.; Hewamadduma, C.A.A.; de Tissera, A.
    OBJECTIVE:To determine whether inclusion of vitamin E into kidney storage solutions protects metabolism and tubular ultrastructure of stored rat kidney. METHODS: Rat kidneys were flush stored in Marshall's Citrate (MC) and MC + vitamin E (25% of LD 50 and 50% of LD 50) for 24 hours at 0 degrees C. After storage kidney slices were tested for gluconeogenesis and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, and examined for cellular ultrastructure. RESULTS: Kidneys stored in MC + vitamin E gave higher gluconeogenesis than those stored in MC alone (p < 0.001). Tubular ultrastructure was better preserved in the presence of Vitamin E. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin E appears to protect the metabolism and ultrastructure of stored rat kidneys.