Conference Papers

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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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    Epidemiology of goitres in Sri Lanka - results of a community based study
    (Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2008) Fernando, R.; Pathmeswaran, A.; Edirisinghe, D.; Abeysinghe, S.; Atulugama, N.; Bandara, D.; Premathileke, M.
    BACKGROUND: lodization of salt was made mandatory in Sri Lanka in 1995. Data on the current prevalence and geographic distribution of goitre among the general population is not available. Objectives: To describe the epidemiology of goitre in the population over the age of 10 years in Sri Lanka DESIGN, SETTING AND METHODS: The country (excluding the Northern Province) was divided into 6 ecological zones based on annual rainfall and altitude. From each zone, 18 Grama Niladhari (GN) areas were selected, using the probability proportionate to size (PPS) technique. First household to be sampled was selected at random from the list maintained by the midwife and all eligible people in the house were sampled. The closest household, next to the index household,, was visited and sampling carried out next. The process was repeated until 50 subjects were sampled in a GN area. Each subject was examined by at least two researchers for the presence of a goitre. RESULTS: Total of 5200 subjects were assessed. 66 %( 3,433) were females. Mean (SD) age 36.3(17.3) years. 425 subjects had a goitre. The distribution of goitres according to the WHO categorization - Grades 1, 2, 3 and 4 was 18.6, 68.0, 12.5 and 0.9 percent respectively. Adjusted (age and zone) prevalence among females and males was 11.2% and 2.3% respectively. Adjusted (age and sex) prevalence (95% CI) in the different zones varied between 5.34% in the intermediate zone-south to 7.93% in the wet zone-hills. Overall adjusted prevalence was 6.8% (6.0-7.6). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of goitres is 6.8%. There is definite female preponderance. No obvious goitre belt can be discerned.
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    Epidemiology of hypertension in an urban population of Sri Lanka
    (Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2011) Kasturiratne, A.; Pinidiyapathirage, M.J.; Pathmeswaran, A.; Kato, N.; Wickremasinghe, A.R.; de Silva, H.J.
    INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: To describe the epidemiology of hypertension in 35-64 year old adults resident in Ragama Medical Officer of Health area in the Gampaha district, Sri Lanka. Methods: The Ragama Health Study is conducted in the Ragama MOH area of the Gampaha district. An age- stratified random sample of 2986 adults between 35-64 years of age, were screened for cardiovascular risk factors. Socio-demographic and risk factor related data were obtained by structured interview. Anthropometric and blood pressure measurements were obtained and relevant biochemical investigations were conducted. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertension (systolic > 139 mm Hg and/or diastolic > 89 mm Hg) in 2986 participants (males 45%), was 30.4% (27.8% in males; 32.5% in females). 31.8% (n=288) were previously undetected. Of the known hypertensives, 19.5% were not on anti-hypertensive medication and only 32.1% were controlled (defined by systolic <140 mm Hg and diastolic <90 mm Hg). Factors associated with hypertension in both males and females were body mass index, waist circumference, fasting blood glucose and serum triglycerides. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence observed is comparable to the prevalence of developed countries with relatively older populations. A considerable proportion of known hypertensives are not on treatment and the observed poor control indicates problems in drug compliance. Interventions targeting lifestyle modification and drug compliance are essential to control adverse outcomes of hypertension.