Journal/Magazine Articles
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This collection contains original research articles, review articles and case reports published in local and international peer reviewed journals by the staff members of the Faculty of Medicine
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Item Auditory and visual hallucinations in an adolescent following orthotopic liver transplantation(Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists, 2024-10) Chandradasa, M.; Abeyrathne, M.; Sithara, P.; Kodithuwakku, K.; Fernando, M.No abstract availableItem Religion, spirituality, and coping among the psychiatric population: a narrative review(Academy Publisher, 2024) Shoib, S.; Das, S.; Gupta, A.K.; Ullah, I.; Javed, S.; Nocera, A.; Kar, S.K.; Chandradasa, M.; de Filippis, R.BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The impact of religiosity and spirituality on mental health is still far to be adequately explored. Evidence-based data gathering papers that bring together various perspectives and facets of religion in the mentally ill population is needed. Therefore, we conducted this review to summarise evidence on the subject and raise awareness. METHODS: We searched the literature using generic terms for ‘mental health and psychiatry’, ‘beliefs’, ‘religion’, ‘religious involvement’, ‘religiosity’, ‘spiritual aspects’, and ‘spirituality’, finally summarising all appropriate references. However, for this narrative revision, we collected papers addressing various perspectives, data, and facets of religion in the mentally ill population, a subject with theoretical and practical implications in mental health. RESULTS: The initial literature search found 21,723 total results: 1,723 from PubMed/Medline and Scopus, and up to 20,000 from Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Web of Science. After removing repetitions and applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, only six studies were included in this review on religion as an adaptive resource, and nine studies on religion, spirituality, and mental health. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence-based studies on the topic are still challenging to develop while maintaining a high scientific value. Notwithstanding this, religion and spirituality can have positive/negative clinical implications depending on how they are managed. Indeed, it can reduce suicidal risk, relieve depressive and anxious symptoms, and improve patients’ and caregivers’ coping and resilience. Nevertheless, it can enhance guilt, worsen/ generate obsessions, and compulsions in the obsessive-compulsive disorder and determine or associate with mystical-religious delusions in the maniacal phase of bipolar disorder.Item Factors behind suicides in Muslim countries: a global ecological study(Taylor and Francis Group, 2024) Shoib, S.; Tayyeb, M.; Armiya’u, A.Y.; Raaj, S.; Elmahi, O.K.O.; Swed, S.; Saeed, F.; Nahidi, M.; Bashir, A.; Chandradasa, M.This study examines the relationship between suicide rates and social, political, and economic factors in Muslim-majority countries, considering the influence of Islam and unique socio-cultural factors. Conducted from January to December 2022, it covered 46 countries, collecting data on suicide rates, income, Human Development Index (HDI), poverty rate, life expectancy, literacy rate, and political system. Suicide rates in Muslim-majority countries could be predicted based on HDI, poverty rates, life expectancy, and literacy rates. Frequency of suicide rates varied across continents, with the highest rates in Africa. Culturally sensitive suicide prevention programs are crucial for Muslim-majority countries.Item Acceptability of a web-based character strengths module for early adolescent school children(Postgraduate Institute of Medicine University of Colombo, 2023) Chandradasa, M.; Williams, S.; Sumanasiri, S.; Selliah, S.; Gunarathne, P.; Paric, A.; Ravindran, N.; Kuruppuarachchi, K.A.L.A; Ravindran, A.BACKGROUND: Frequent socio-political conflicts in the past decades have adversely affected the well-being of youth in Sri Lanka. There is a need to support youth development, mitigate past trauma, and promote social harmony. School-based interventions to improve character development, emotional regulation, and tolerance have good evidence and may benefit adolescents in Sri Lanka. Our objective was to develop a novel character strength program in Sinhala to promote Leadership, Empathy, Altruism, Personal Growth, and Social Responsibility (LEAPS). This program consists of ten web-based modules and is facilitated by teachers. This initial evaluation focuses on the first module and its acceptability among students and teachers. METHOD: Program modules were developed by a child and adolescent psychiatrist with the support of mental health and educational experts. The first module was piloted among grade 8 students (12-14 years) and teachers of two schools in the Gampaha District. It was designed to be interactive and contains various cultural activities and questions. On completion, participants gave feedback online via Likert scales. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya. RESULTS: A total of 115 students and 66 teachers participated. Overall, more than 95% of students and teachers found the module appropriate and suitable. The students had more favourable ratings for the module compared to the teachers on aspects of understanding the content (p<0.001), ability to complete by self (p<0.001), suitability to age (p<0.001), shorter time for completion (p<0.001) and suitability of the design (p<0.001). Both groups suggested that the pictures and activities be increased. CONCLUSIONS: Teaching character strengths using a web-based intervention was well accepted by adolescent students and teachers in Sri Lanka.Item Relationship between childhood sexual abuse and suicidal behaviour in South Asian countries: A scoping review(Elsevier, 2022) Shoib, S.; Amanda, T.W.; Saeed, F.; Armiya’u, A.Y.; Patel, V.; Chandradasa, M.; de Berardis, D.Background: Sexual abuse is a global issue and happens in every culture and country. It is a risk factor for developing several mental disorders and suicide. While there are many studies on the relationship between childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and suicide, there are no reviews on this association from South Asia. Aims: A scoping review to explore the association between CSA and suicidal behaviour in South Asian countries. Method: A literature search was conducted with Databases PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar, and Scopus from January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2020 for articles related to child sexual abuse and suicidal behaviour. Studies from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka were included in the search. Results: Among 356 articles found, 45 publications were further evaluated based on exclusion and inclusion criteria, and 12 papers that reported quantitative outcomes of the association between CSA and suicidal experiences were included in the review. There were no eligible studies from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, and the Maldives. Due to the limited number of publications and the heterogeneity of the studies, a meta-analysis was not conducted. Most studies indicated that CSA is a risk factor for suicidal behaviour or suicide later in life. Further, cultural barriers prevent the disclosure of CSA in Asian communities. Conclusions: There is an association between CSA and suicidal behaviour in South Asian countries. Future studies should target socio-cultural aspects to develop preventive programs for CSA and later suicide.Item International collaboration to address the inevitable mental health burden in Sri Lanka in the context of the economic crisis(Elsevier, 2022) Shoib, S.; Rathnayake, L.; Badawy, M.M.; Swed, S.; Saeed, F.; Chandradasa, M.No abstract availableItem Mental health services in Syria: Challenges and opportunities(Elsevier, 2022) Shoib, S.; Swed, S.; Alibrahim, H.; Ezzdean, W.; Almoshantaf, M.B.; Siddiqui, M.F.; Chandradasa, M.No abstract availableItem Suicide in the context of infodemic during COVID-19 pandemic: A global perspective(Elsevier, 2022) Shoib, S.; Armiya'u, A.Y.; Das, N.; Hussaini, S.S.; Ahmed, E.M.S.; Chandradasa, M.Surges of technology use along with limited interpersonal interactions have led to the amplification and dissemination of false information during the COVID-19 pandemic. Infodemic refers to an overabundance of information that may have increased burden of covid-19 pandemic and mental disorder. Given the rise of suicide behavior during the pandemic, infodemic has been considered as a risk of suicidal behavior. The aim of this article is to address suicide in the context of infodemic and provide some strategy to adjust the impact of infodemic on mental health.Item Suicide, stigma and COVID-19: A call for action from low and middle income countries(Frontiers Research Foundation,Lausanne, Switzerland, 2022) Shoib, S.; Chandradasa, M.; Saeed, F.; Armiya'u, A.Y.; Roza, T.H.; Ori, D.; Jakhar, J.; Rodrigues-Silva, N.; Banerjee, DSuicide is a global health issue that needs to be addressed. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an increased mental health burden. Stigma has obstructed efforts to prevent suicide as individuals who need urgent support do not seek appropriate help. The influence of stigma is likely to grow in tandem with the COVID-19 pandemic. The stigmatization of persons with mental illnesses is widespread worldwide, and it has substantial effects on both the individual and society. Our viewpoints aim to address the probable link between stigma and suicide in the wake of the current pandemic and propose ideas for reducing suicide-related stigma.Item Mental health services in conflict areas - An experience from Libya(Elsevier, 2022) Shoib, S.; Baiou, A.; Saleem, S.M.; Chandradasa, M.; Gaffaz, R.The Libyan mental health system has long been seen as inefficient and insufficient for the demands of the country. Thousands of Libyans require mental health therapy now more than ever before. Libya's Ministry of Health has worked to improve access to mental health services. Despite international assistance, Libya continues to face issues due to stigma and a shortage of competent psychiatrists. The majority of Libyan individuals are unable to obtain private psychiatric care. This places the burden on the public sector to care for the majority's psychological pain and suffering and this needs to be addressed.