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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Item Knowledge and attitudes regarding child abuse and child rights among Sri Lankan school children(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2012) Mettananda, S.; de Silva, D.G.H.; Perera, T.; Pathmeswaran, A.AIMS: To describe knowledge and attitudes regarding child abuse and child rights among school children in 3 districts in Sri Lanka. METHODS: A descriptive study was conducted in Anuradapura, Monaragala and Kandy districts in 2011. Five schools were randomly selected from each district. Three classes of grades 9-11 were randomly selected and all students in selected classes were recruited into the study after obtaining informed consent. A self-administered questionnaire given under examination conditions was used to gather data. The questionnaire contained questions to assess knowledge/attitudes regarding child abuse and rights. Subjects were assigned a mark (range 0-5) on their answers to questions in different aspects of child abuse and higher marks signify better knowledge. RESULTS: The study population comprised 1091 adolescents (Anuradapura-30%, Moneragala-35%, Kandy-34%). Mean age was 14.2 (SD±1.23) years and 48% were males. The majority of boys (85%) and girls (78%) were unaware of the child rights convention. A higher percentage of girls (10.1%) than boys (5.2%) answered the question on child rights satisfactorily [p=0.003]. Corporal punishment in schools was recommended by 38%, whereas 42% suggested positive disciplinary methods. On other's request, 29% boys and 6% girls would do life-endangering tasks. Marks for the question regarding ability to handle/avoid sexual abuse were- 0 in 7%, 1-3 in 51% and 4-5 in 42%. Girls scored significantly higher than boys [p<0.001]. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge regarding child rights among Sri Lankan children was unsatisfactory. A high proportion acknowledged corporal punishment as a disciplinary method. Girls had a better knowledge regarding child rights and are better aware of how to handle situations of sexual abuse.Item Experience of abuse among Sri Lankan school children(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2012) Mettananda, S.; de Silva, D.G.H.; Perera, T.; Pathmeswaran, A.AIMS: To describe the experiences of abuse and maltreatment among children and adolescents in 3 districts in Sri Lanka. METHODS: A descriptive study was conducted in Anuradapura, Monaragala and Kandy districts in January-March 2011. Five schools were randomly selected from each district. Two primary classes [grade 4-5 [children)] and 3 senior classes [grades 9-11 [adolescents]] were randomly selected and all students in selected classes were recruited into the study after obtaining informed consent from students and staff. A self administered questionnaire given under examination conditions was used to gather data. The questionnaire contained questions regarding experiences of physical, emotional and sexual abuse. Results: The study population comprised 739 children [Anuradapura-279, Moneragala-207, Kandy-253) and 1091 adolescents [Anuradapura-327, Moneragala-387, Kandy-377). Male; female ratio was 49:51. 75% children and 91% adolescents claimed that they are physically punished when they misbehave in school, whereas 79% and 97% respectively, agreed that they are shouted at. 28% adolescents [MaIe-49%, Female-10%) had performed life endangering tasks, and in 43% the caretaker/adult had requested it of them. Part-time child labour was reported by 2.7% children and 1.6% adolescents. 2.6% children [Male-3.6%, Female-1.7%) and 1.7% adolescents [Male-2%, Female-1.4%) had experienced incidents of sexual abuse. 14% children and 7% adolescents were staying alone at home whereas 37% children and 49% adolescents travelled alone. CONCLUSIONS: Corporal punishment, although banned, is still being widely used as a disciplinary method. About 2% of school children had experienced sexual abuse. Significant proportions of school children were either living alone or going out alone, and are therefore at risk of abuse.