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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Awareness and attitudes among nursing officers of National Institute of Mental Health, regarding the COVID 19; Descriptive cross-sectional study
(Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2021) Dharamarathna, N.D.; Samarasekara, D.; Madubhashin, D.; Rupasena, S.; Rajapaksha, N.; Sansala, T.
Introduction: Individuals who seek inpatient hospital care due to COVID 19 infection are drastically increasing and nurses are crucial in caring for patients. Proper awareness and positive attitudes are the key pillars for pertinent caring of patients with COVID 19. Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate the awareness and attitudes towards COVID- 19 among nursing officers of National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Sri Lanka. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among randomly selected 201 nurses of NIMH. A pretested self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Pearson chi-square test. Overall awareness was categorised using modified Bloom’s cut-off point as good (80%-100%), moderate (50%-79%), and poor (< 50%). Results: The majority were female (92%) with a mean age of 31±6 years. Of participants, 40% reported a history of exposure to COVID 19 while 27% had quarantine. Nearly half of the participants (52%) had moderate awareness with a mean of 70±14 (range 20-90). Referring the COVID 19 guidelines (p=0.001) and working experience (p=0.04) was significantly associated with the awareness. The mean value of the attitudes was 61 ±6 (range 46-80) and 63% (n=127) had a neutral attitude towards COVID-19. Working in a medical ward (p=0.01) or COVID suspected ward (p=0.005) and experience of quarantine (p=0.01) were significantly associated with attitudes. Conclusions: Overall awareness and attitudes were at a moderate level among most. It is necessary to take measures to enhance the knowledge and attitudes towards COVID 19 among nurses.
Infection control and hand hygiene (ICHH) practices of Audiolog* service providers in the Western Province of Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2021) Wijethunga, R.
Introduction: Clinical audiology settings are vulnerable to infection. Therefore, audiology service providers should have adequate knowledge and training for infection control and hand hygiene practices. Objectives: This study aims to investigate knowledge, practices and attitudes towards ICHH practices of Audiology service providers in the Western province of Sri Lanka. Method: A descriptive study was conducted for audiology service providers in the Western province of Sri Lanka using a self-administrative questionnaire in 2021. The main study was conducted after receiving ethical clearance from the ethical review committee of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya. Results: All participants were aware about their clinical setting being exposed to infection. Majority of the participants (93.33%) were aware of at least one ICHH policy, guideline. Less than half of the participant (43.33%) had ICHH training. Most of the participants apply more than one method to clean and disinfect devices which are used for clinical practices. Furthermore, 53.33% of participants used to dispose general and clinical waste separately but all the clinical waste together. Majority of participants have mentioned that it is vital to include ICHH training to audiology education system and having annual infection control training. Conclusions: Knowledge and training for ICHH practices should be increased. A national infection control policy and guideline should be implemented and an annual infection control program should be held in order to assess the progress and to disseminate the knowledge.
Knowledge and attitudes on basic life support and associated factors, among selected nursing schools/ nursing faculties in Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2021) Thoradeniya, V.; Munasinghe, S.; Thilakarathna, G.; Jayasena, A.; Wijesooriya, N.
Introduction: Basic Life support (BLS) skills are an essential part of the medical curriculum which are utilized to save lives in emergency situations. Objectives: To determine the knowledge and attitudes in BLS and factors associated with those, among nursing students in selected nursing schools/faculties in Sri Lanka. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among a convenient sample of 325 nursing students using a pre-tested online questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used in data analysis. Results: Out of 317 valid responses, 46.4% had good knowledge while 53.6% had good attitude on BLS. The majority were females (89.3%), Sinhalese (96.2%) and Buddhists (91.2%). Majority were from nursing schools (63.7%) and were in 3rd academic year (45.7%). Among the students 71.9% had had lectures, 34.7% had experienced and 40.7% had participated in training programmes related to BLS. Non-westem province residence (p=0.010), academic year (p=0.011), BLS lectures (p=0.001), experience (0.009), practical training (0.010) were significantly associated with good knowledge. Following were statistically significantly associated with good attitude towards BLS. Religion (p= 0.027), non-westem province residence (p= 0.000), academic year (p= 0.003), having BLS lectures (p= 0.046), training programmes (p= 0.001), experience (p= 0.033), practical training (p=0.003), time since last training (p=0.005) Conclusions: From the study-population 46.4% had good knowledge & 53.6% had good attitudes towards BLS. Religion, non-westem province residence, academic year, lectures, training programs, experience in BLS were associated with good knowledge & attitudes. Therefore, implementation of more training programs, lectures on BLS is recommended.