30th Anniversary Academic Sessions, Faculty of Medicine-2021

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/23855

Plenaries, Symposia and free papers presented at the 30th Anniversary Academic Sessions, held on 28-31st October 2021, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Faculty of Medicine

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Attitudes towards homosexuality, bisexuality and transgenderism among medical students of a Sri Lankan university
(Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2021) Rajapaksha, J.S.R.L.; Rajapaksha, R.G.D.T.; Ranawaka, A.U.R.; Rangalla, R.D.M.P.; Ranwala, R.D.E.B.; Chandratilake, M.N.
Introduction: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) patients experience discrimination, insensitivity and ignorance about LGBT-specific health needs among healthcare providers. Developing the correct attitudes among medical students towards LGBT may help provide them with optimal healthcare. Objectives: This study aimed at assessing the attitudes of medical students towards LBGT community. Methods: A cross- sectional descriptive study was among all the medical students in the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka using a validated online questionnaire.3 The questionnaire focused on eight areas. The data was descriptively analysed and the demographic groups were compared. Results: 358 completed the survey. Their attitudes on traditional gender role and comfortability in interacting with LGBT people were moderate and they disagreed with negative LGBT social beliefs. They knew less about the origin of sexuality/gender of LGBT. Although they accepted LGBT as a part of diversity, they discouraged normalizing social practices of LGBT people. Their acceptance and association of LGBT was moderately positive. A minority has encountered LGBT in close social circles and the majority of them were batch-mates. Although males’ knowledge about the origin ot LGBT was higher, they favoured traditional gender roles more. The religious groups showed no differences. The favourability of attitudes towards LGBT reflected respondents' political ideology. Conclusions: Although medical students' knowledge on sexuality/gender basis ot LGBT is poor they have moderately favourable attitudes towards them. They accept LGBT as a part of social diversity but not their social practices. Poor knowledge, lack of encounters, cultural influences and political ideology may have influenced their attitudes.
Level of knowledge, attitudes, practices of cancer palliative care and their associated factors among nursing officers in Apeksha Hospital, Maharagama
(Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2021) Madushan, T.; Gunasekera, N.; Munasinghe, R.; Uthpala, S.; Karunanayaka, N.; Goonewardena, S.; Meegoda, M.K.D.L.
Introduction: Nursing officer, being the first contact of cancer patients, plays a prominent role in providing palliative care. Therefore, having good knowledge, favourable attitudes and correct practices in cancer palliative care uplifts patient quality of life. Objectives: To describe the level of knowledge, attitudes, practices of cancer palliative care and associated factors among the nursing officers in Apeksha Hospital, Maharagama. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 252 participants with more than one year of work experience at Apeksha Hospital, Maharagama. Data were collected using a pre-tested self-administered questionnaire. Data was analysed using SPSS software version 26. P<0.05 was the significance level. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 32.9 (SD= 6.55) years. Majority (59.5%) had good knowledge, 53.2% favourable attitudes and 54% engaged in correct practices. Mean knowledge score was 26.4 (SD= 3.44). Nurses above 30 years of age, married and having more than 10 years’ experience had significant association with knowledge (p<0.05). Most of the participants who had good knowledge had correct practices (p<0.0001). Most of the participants who had favourable attitude had correct practices (p<0.0001). Association of level of knowledge and attitude was not found to be statistically significant (p> 0.05). Conclusions: Majority of the nurses had good knowledge, favourable attitudes and engaged in correct practices in palliative care. There is a significant association between the year of experience and the nurses’ knowledge on palliative care. Having a good knowledge and favourable attitude on palliative care were positive factors for correct practices.