Journal/Magazine Articles
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/13
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 Intestinal parasitoses and the nutritional status of Veddah children in Sri Lanka(SEAMEO Regional Tropical Medicine and Public Health Project, 2004) Chandrasena, T.G.A.N.; Premaratna, R.; de Alwis, A.C.; de Silva, L.D.R.; Morel, R.P.; de Silva, N.R.This study describes and compares the intestinal parasitoses and nutritional statuses of primary school children of Veddah (local indigenous population) and Sinhalese (more advanced society) in rural Sri Lanka. Children attending years 1-3 (age range 6-15 years) at Dambana Primary School (Veddah) and Wewatta Primary School (Sinhalese) were included in the study. Stools and blood samples were examined for evidence of intestinal parasites and anemia. The heights and weights of the children were measured and anthropometric indices calculated. There was a high prevalence of G. intestinalis and B. hominis (Giardia 7.8.percent and 6.2.percent; Blastocystis 17.2.percent and 17.3.percent at Dambana and Wewatta, respectively) in both communities, the predominant helminth being N. americanus (20.3.percent at Dambana and 14.8.percent at Wewatta; pgreater than 0.05). Other geohelminth infections were scarce in both communities. A greater proportion of boys than girls were underweight and stunted in both communities. Wasting and anemia was significantly high among the Veddah children.Item Effect of pollution on health of residents in an industrial area in Sri Lanka(American Medical Association, 2002) Premaratna, R.; Pathmeswaran, A.; Chandrasekara, B.; Dissanayake, A.S.; de Silva, H.J.The authors conducted a cross-sectional comparative prevalence study to evaluate the effect of pollution on individuals who lived in an industrial zone in Sri Lanka. In this study, 81 male and female children who were 1-12 yr of age and 158 adults (51 males, 107 females) in the industrial zone were matched with 73 children (32 males, 41 females) and 146 adults (58 males, 88 females), respectively, who lived in a nonindustrialized area and whose ages were similar to those of the exposed individuals. The authors used a pretested questionnaire and a detailed clinical examination, including peak expiratory flow rate measurements, to assess the prevalence of illness. Children in the industrial area were 2.3 times more likely to have unexplained episodic cough (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.98, 10.3) and 2.8 times more likely to have rhinitis (95% CI = 1.1, 7.1). The adult population was 2.1 times more likely to have unexplained episodic cough (95% CI = 1.13, 7.09), 3.7 times more likely to have unexplained headaches (95% CI = 2.2, 6.3), and adults had a significantly greater reduction in expiratory flow (peak expiratory flow rate = 446 - 92x [industrial area] + 91x [male] - 0.8x [years lived in the area]).Item Hepatitis B and C virus markers among new entrant medical students(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 1999) Premawardhena, A.P.; Premaratna, R.; Jayaweera, G.; Costa, S.; Chandrasena, L.G.; de Silva, H.J.AIM: To investigate the presence of hepatitis B and C virus markers in new entrant medical students at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya. METHOD: 456 students (mean age 24 years, SD 3.5, 257 men) were investigated before they were exposed to clinical work, using a questionnaire to assess sociodemographic factors and possible risk factors for contracting hepatitis B or C. Blood samples were tested for HBs Ag and anti HBs (n = 456), and anti-HCV (n = 162 randomly selected samples) with a third generation sandwich radioimmunoassay technique. RESULTS: The students were from 20 of the 25 districts in the country, although their distribution was not inform. A past history of hepatitis or jaundice was obtained from 24 (5.3 percent ) and 6 (1.3 percent ) students respectively. None of them had been vaccinated against hepatitis B. At least one risk factor for hepatitis B or C was present in 32 (7 percent ) of them. None of the samples were positive for HBsAg or anti-HCV, and only two (0.44 percent ) were positive for anti-HBs. CONCLUSION: Our results support the view that exposure to hepatitis B and C seems to be uncommon in this country, at least up to young adulthood. As most new entrant medical students are not immune to these infections there is a strong case to vaccinate them against hepatitis B before they are exposed to clinical work.