Conference Papers

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/6561

This collection contains abstracts of conference papers, presented at local and international conferences by the staff of the Faculty of Medicine

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Author: search.filters.author.Jayawardana, P.Subject: search.filters.subject.Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice

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    Knowledge and practices regarding selected aspects of sexual abuse among mothers of adolescent children in the Medical Officer of Health area, Udubaddawa
    (College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka, 2009) Makawita, M.U.M.; Jayawardana, P.
    INTRODUCTION: Emergence of child sexual abuse of adolescents is one of the major issues encountered globally. Inadequacy of preventive measures undertaken by mothers as a result of poor knowledge would make their children vulnerable to this horrendous experience which may have disastrous consequences on their physical, psychological and social well being. OBJECTIVE: To determine the knowledge and practices related to selected aspects of sexual abuse among mothers of adolescent children in the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) area, Udubaddawa. METHODS: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in all 13 Public Health Midwife areas in the MOH area, Udubaddawa. Seven hundred and fifteen mothers, 55 from each PHM area, having an adolescent child/children were selected through cluster sampling. Knowledge and practices were assessed using a self administered questionnaire. A score of ^50% was selected to define "good" knowledge and practices. Chi squared test was applied to determine factors associated with "good" knowledge and practices. RESULTS: The proportions of mothers with good overall knowledge and practices were 52.3% (n=374) and 39.2% (n=280) respectively. The variables that were significantly associated with good over all knowledge were educational level of >GCE O/L (60%; n=206) in comparison to Rs. 15,000 (63%; n=64) in comparison to
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    Knowledge and practices on selected non communicable diseases among GCE Advanced Level students in state schools, Maharagama
    (College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka, 2009) Gamage, A.U.; Jayawardana, P.
    OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge on selected non communicable diseases (NCDs) and practices related to prevention of selected NCDs among GCE Advanced Level (A/L) students attending government schools in the Maharagama education division. METHODS: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among year 13 students (A/L) attending state schools in Maharagama education division. A total of 634 students were selected from 9 schools which had at least one class in a given stream. Stratified sampling was done according to stream of study and the number needed from each stratum was decided according to probability proportionate to size. Cluster sampling was conducted when the number of classes in each stream was more than one. A self administered questionnaire was used to gather information on socio demographic data, practices, knowledge on NCDs and sources of information. Height and weight measurements were recorded. Each practice was analysed separately, either based on the indulgence or on a cut off score. A composite score of >60% was considered as good overall knowledge. RESULTS: Of the 634 respondents 45.3% (n=287) were males. The mean age was 18.4(SD±0.38) years. Knowledge: The proportion with good overall knowledge was 43% (95%CI: 39%-46.9%) [n=272]. Good overall knowledge was significantly higher among non Sinhalese (88%; n=5) and science stream students (65%; n=85) (p< 0.001). Practices: Proportion of students who had a healthy diet was 43% (n=275) and adequate physical activity was 20% (n=129). Three percent (n=18) were current smokers, all of whom were males and 10% (n=61) of males and 2% (n=12) of females were current users of alcohol. Proportion of females was significantly higher in relation to healthy dietary habits (52.2%; n=181 versus 32.8%; n=94 ), non smoking (100%; n=347 versus 93.7%; n=269) and non alcohol consumption (96.5%; n=335 versus 78.7%; n=226) and males in relation to adequate physical activity (27.5%; n=79 versus 14.4%; n=50). Schools (41%; n=233) were the major source of information on NCDs and preferred sources were healthcare workers (34%; n=201) and schools (32%; n=192). CONCLUSION: Proportion of year 13 A/L students with good knowledge and practices was low and recommend awareness raising programs.