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
Browse
2 results
Search Results
Item An assessment of knowledge on common snakes, snakebite prevention, and first aid among adults of the Ragama MOH area(Young Zoologists’ Association of Sri Lanka (YZA), 2025-01) Hettiarachchi, I.U.; Jayasinghe, A.G.; Ilukpitiya, I.S.L.; Imanji, R.P.C.; Huzair, M. M.M.; Jayathissa, R.N.U.; Kurukulasuriya, S.A.F.Snakes, as keystone species, play a vital role in maintaining ecosystem equilibrium while signi-cantly inuencing human-nature interactions and sociocultural dynamics. Poor public knowledge of snakes, snakebites, and rst-aid have contributed to an increment in disease burden and unneces-sary killing of snakes. The World Health Organization identies snakebites as a ‘neglected tropical disease’. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the knowledge on common snakes and snakebites among the adults of the Ragama MOH area. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted, using cluster sampling with a sample population of 637 residents (mean = 41.31 years, SD = 15.59). Demographic and study-specic data were collected through an interviewer-administered questionnaire which was developed with existent scientic literature and clinical guidelines; validated by experts on the topic and a pilot test; delivered in Sinhala and Tamil by investigators who were native speakers and trained together for consistency. Colour calibrated plates were used for species identication. Data collection was conducted in January 2023 after acquiring ethical approval. Informed consent was obtained from participants. A unied score was calculated for each participant considering the responses in four domains: the ability to identify species, their venom status, bite prevention measures, and rst aid. Those who achieved an overall mark of 50 % or above were attributed as having ‘good knowledge’. Statistically signicant associations were identied using the Chi-square test (α = 0.05). Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS software (version 22). Of the participants, 59.18 % (± 0.49 %) had a ‘good knowledge’ overall, while 98.11 % (± 0.01 %) identied Naja naja, 56.67 % (± 0.02 %) identied Daboia russelii, 44.11 % (± 0.02 %) identied Hypnale spp., 36.26 % (± 0.02 %) identied Bungaurus ceylonicus and 28.41 % (± 0.02 %) identied Bungarus caeruleus. Of the participants, 20.9 % (± 0.7 %), 22.4 % (± 0.8 %), 96.8 % (± 0.6 %), and 67.9 % (± 0.7 %) obtained 50 % or above marks respectively on the four domains mentioned above. Statistically signicant associations were recognized with sex, where males had better knowledge (p = 1.7x10-5, φ = 0.17); education on snakes (p = 4.02x10-7, φ = 0.21); occupation, where unskilled labourers, agricultural and shery workers had good knowledge (p = 2.0x10-3, V = 0.21). Although the overall mark was satisfactory, a signicant knowledge gap was observed in identifying even the highly venomous species and their venom sta-tus. This deficiency presents an opportunity for community level interventions, such as workshops, coexistence programs, and educational groups. These initiatives could help reduce the negative im-pacts of snakebites on public health, the economy, and biodiversity while simultaneously improving biodiversity conservation and public health outcomes.Item Knowledge, attitudes, and practices about first aid given for childhood injuries among mothers of preschool children in Ragama MOH area, Sri Lanka(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2023) Wickramasinghe, P.M.T.B.; Jayasena, A.K.O.M.; Jayathilake, J.M.P.S.; Jayathissa, J.T.M.; Jayathissa, A.V.A.P.; Jayawardena, M.A.T.INTRODUCTION: Children under 5 are the most vulnerable group for unintentional injuries and mothers as the main prehospital caregivers it is vital to have first aid knowledge for common childhood injuries. OBJECTIVES: To assess the existing knowledge about first aid given for unintentional injuries such as burns, cut injuries, poisoning, choking, drowning & fractures and their attitudes, and practices in providing first aid and to find associated factors with knowledge. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Ragama MOH area, in 2022. 343 mothers were recruited from 12 preschools, using the cluster sampling method. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed, data were analysed using SPSS software and associations were analysed using the Chi-Square test, (p<0.05 -significant) RESULTS: Most of the mothers were young housewives and their knowledge was overall inadequate at first aid. (54.2%) The highest median score was obtained for questions on fractures 3.732 (SD ± 1.454) and the lowest for cut injury 2.752 (SD ± 1.2187). The majority (89.5%) knew the ambulance contact number. Only 47.2% of the mothers had given first aid in an emergency and out of them 67.9% had felt tense while doing so. Most had provided first aid for burn injuries (18.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of participants’ knowledge of first aid was inadequate. Most of them had a positive attitude towards first aid and were willing to learn further. The factors associated with their knowledge were education level and their perception of their own knowledge. Most preferred a hands-on training program for knowledge acquisition.