30th Anniversary Academic Sessions, Faculty of Medicine-2021
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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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Item Knowledge on first aid among non-medical undergraduates of University of Peradeniya(Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2021) Gunarathne, D.; Hemakeerthi, C.; Hashoora, F.; Hemal, H.; GunathiIake, D.; Gunarathne, R.; Chavindra, D.; Geekiyanage, D.; Herath, H.; Gunarathne, K.Introduction: Knowledge on first aid is paramount in modem day’s world. University students are one of the best group of advocates to spreading knowledge and implementing correct first aid practices in the society. Objectives: To assess the level and adequacy of knowledge among first year undergraduates of University of Peradeniya, to determine whether the knowledge differs by the faculty of study and to determine the sources from which students gained their knowledge on first aid. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 239 randomly selected first year undergraduates from 8 faculties in the University of Peradeniya, excluding the Faculty of Medicine. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. The adequacy of knowledge was assessed according to the marks obtained for the questionnaire. Results: Of the participants, 71.4% had adequate knowledge on first aid. There was a significant association between adequacy of knowledge between students and the type of faculty they belong. The adequacy of knowledge in students from faculties related to biology stream was significantly higher than the students from other faculties. (p=0.018) The commonest source of obtaining knowledge on first aid was family and friends. Conclusions: Knowledge on first aid among students from faculties that are not related biology is not adequate. Implementing workshops and training programs on first aid, tailor made to each faculty is recommended to improve the knowledge on first aid.Item Knowledge and lifestyle adaptations to COVID-19 among tea plantation owners in Balangoda, Sri Lanka(Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2021) Dharmalingam, L.; Chandrasekera, C.; Pramodya, S.; Gamage, P.; Fernando, C.; Prathapan, S.Introduction: COVID-19 pandemic is the current global health crisis with a socioeconomic impact around the world. Tea plantation owners need adequate knowledge of COVID-19 to prevent its spread in tea estates and sustain their economy during the pandemic. Objectives: The objective was to describe the knowledge and lifestyle adaptations to COVID-19 among tea plantation owners in Balangoda, Sri Lanka Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study, was conducted among 85 tea plantation owners of a Tea Estate Development Society in Sri Lanka. Simple random sampling technique was used. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire comprising of participant’s sociodemographic data, effect of COVID-19 on estate economy (during March to August 2020 compared to 2019), knowledge, lifestyle adaptations to COVID-19 and chronic diseases among the participants. Data was analysed using SPSS software. The significance level was set at 5%. Results: Most of the participants had poor knowledge and lifestyle adaptations to COVID- 19 (50.6%). No significant association was found between knowledge of CO VID-19 and sociodemographic data such as age (p=0.579), gender (p=0.263), education level (p=0.941) and monthly income (p=0.082). Majority (56.0%) had a positive effect on estate economy during March to August 2020 compared to 2019. No significant association was found between poor knowledge of COVID-19 and poor effect on estate economy due to COV ID- 19 (p= 0.365). Statistical significance was observed between the presence of diabetes and poor knowledge of COVID-19 (p=0.049). Conclusions: Majority of the tea plantation owners lack adequate knowledge and lifestyle adaptations to COVID-19. Thus, it is essential to improve the knowledge among them.Item Knowledge and practices regarding COVID-19 preventive measures among the patients admitted to a general medical ward(Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2021) de Silva, R.; Wanigasuriya, R.; Marasinghe, C.Introduction: COVID 19 has developed into a global pandemic. Sri Lanka experiencing a major outbreak claiming many lives. Ministry of Health with other collaborators introduced precautions to be followed by the public. These included the proper wearing of masks, good hand hygiene, and social distancing. Objectives: To assess the knowledge and practices regarding COVID-19 preventive measures among patients admitted to a general medical ward. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was done at the University Medical Unit of Colombo South Teaching Hospital from May - July 2021. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Results: The study sample was 70 (55.7% males), with a mean age of 52.81 years (SD - 17.22). Of them, 47.1% were educated up to O/L and 44.3% up to A/L. More than half (57.1%) were employed and 78.6% had received at least one COVID 19 vaccine. Out of the seven questions on knowledge about covid-19, 77.1% scored 7/7, 20% scored 6/7, and the rest scored 5/6. Majority (98.6%) wore masks in public places and 25.7% experienced breathing difficulties. Out of the 12 steps of proper wearing masks, 4.3% followed all, 37.1% followed 9-11 and 52.9% followed 6-8 steps. For hand hygiene, 94.3% used soap and water and 40% used alcohol rub. Social distancing was maintained by 80.3%. Conclusion: Patients admitted to the general medical ward had good knowledge about COVID 19. Although most patients wear masks, proper technique is not followed by the majority. People attempt to keep good hand hygiene but social distancing is sub-optimal.Item 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.Item 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.Item Selected obesity related non-communicable diseases (NCD’s), associated risk factors and knowledge on NCD’s among Buddhist monks and lay people in Colombo district, Sri Lanka(Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2021) Abeyratne, V.; Weerasooriya, S.D.; de Zoysa, D.N.P.; Thrimadura, R.D.; Kapuwella, I.Introduction: Obesity related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have become a global pandemic. Buddhist monks have been excluded from most studies on NCDs done in Sri Lanka. Objectives: This cross-sectional study is the first study conducted on Buddhist monks with the aim of comparing the presence of obesity related NCDs, associated risk factors and knowledge on NCDs and comparing them with laypeople in Colombo district. Methods: An interviewer-administered questionnaire was administered to 80 monks and male lay people each, aged 18-60 years. The collected data on the presence of NCDs, associated risk factors and knowledge were analyzed by chi-square and independent sample t-tests. Results: Diabetes was the commonest NCD among monks while both hypertension and diabetes were equally common in laypeople. Among monks, presence of NCDs increased with period of ordination and good knowledge on risk factors was associated with a higher percentage of adequate physical activity. Laypeople had greater overall knowledge on selected NCDs, and risk factors and this proportion increased with their education level. The presence of family history of NCDs was also higher among laypeople while fresh fruit consumption was low in both groups. Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate that a significant proportion of monks and lay people have at least one NCD and the knowledge of Buddhist monks on NCDs needs to be improved. More studies with greater sample sizes should be done to assess if the NCD prevalence increased with ordination period due to age or the different lifestyles that Buddhist monks lead.