Medicine
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This repository contains the published and unpublished research of the Faculty of Medicine by the staff members of the faculty
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Item An Entomological study to plan intervention for prevention of dengue in Gampaha district, Sri Lanka(Elsevier, 2008) Abeyewickreme, W.; Hapangama, H.A.D.C.; Weerasinghe, I.; Hapugoda, M.D.; Gunawardene, Y.I.N.S.; Gunawardena, N.K.; Wickremasinghe, A.R.BACKGROUND: Dengue is the most common and fastest spreading human arbo viral disease worldwide. Most control efforts are based not on insecticides but on suppression of vectors by reducing the number of larval breeding habitats. METHODS: Total of 2000 houses in the District of Gampaha in the Western Province which had the second highest transmission of dengue in 2006 was selected using grid sampling technique, based on disease incidences during 2003—2006. Mosquito surveillance was carried out from 0900 hrs to 1400 hrs during June-August, 2007. Larval and pupal surveillances were carried out indoors and outdoors using standard larval surveillance techniques. RESULTS: The House, Container and Breteau indices for Aedes larvae were 49.3%, 26.1% and 26.9% respectively. The common breeding places for Aedes species were discarded containers 27.1% (559/2064), unused bowls 16.2% (334/2064), plant axils 11.7% (242/2064), water storing barrels 11.4% (236/2064) and coconut shells 5.4%(111/2064). Most productive container types for larvae were tyres (44.3%), plant axils (37.6%), ceramic jars (36.6%), discarded containers (29.5%) and fish tanks (25.0%). Most productive container types for pupae were discarded containers (13.4%), fish tanks (10.4%), unused bowls (8.38%), ceramic jars (7.31%) and coconut shells (6.3%). Aedes albopictus (larvae-85.3%, pupae-80.4%) was the most predominant vector in the district. Earthen pots, plant axils, discarded containers and buckets were the main sources for Aedes albopictus while tyres, barrels, tanks and bowls were for Aedes aegypti. Further, mixed breeding was observed in water storage containers and tyres. CONCLUSION: Discarded small bowls/containers were the key containers with the highest pupal index. Natural breeding habitats such plant axils may also significantly contribute to pupal production. Therefore an integrated control effort to include community level awareness programmes, improved solid waste management for small containers and efforts to prevent breeding in plants is suggested for prevention of dengue in the district. © 2008 Elsevier Inc.Item Knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) on dengue control in Gampaha district.(Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, 2008) Abeyewickreme, W.; Hapangama, H.A.D.C.; Gunawardene, Y.I.N.S.; Hapugoda, M.D.; Gunawardena, N.K.; Wickremasinghe, A.R.Dengue/Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) has become a major public health problem in many parts of the tropics. In Sri Lanka, it is endemic in some parts of the country with outbreaks of dengue/ DHF. The present study was done to assess 1) knowledge regarding dengue among the general population in the district of Gampaha, 2) whether simple preventive measures are being practiced in the community. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in selected 2000 households in the Gampaha District from June - August, 2007 using a pre-tested structured questionnaire to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding dengue. The majority of the respondents interviewed were females (65.2%). More than 90% have had secondary education (90.2%). The main source of water supply were pipe borne (43.4%) and well water (40.6%). 64.3% households stored water for washing, drinking and cleaning purposes. More than 95% of the respondents had heard about dengue fever and its transmission. 91.3% cited that their main source of information on dengue was from television/radio. 34.3% had either received advice or participated in a training programme on dengue prevention and 7.8% had received support materials. The main preventive measure used to reduce the mosquito nuisance was personal protection with repellents (73.6%). Most of the respondents (56.8%) felt that no action was taken by the government to control mosquitoes. When respondents views were taken, the suggestions made by them to improve dengue control included, fogging (31.8%), educating people (30.5%), treating water (24.3%) and cleaning the environment (19.5%). When questions were directed at possible methods for community participation for dengue control, the majority were in favour of removing solid waste (84.15%), eliminating stagnant water collections (40.7%), removing larvae (8.75%) and covering all the water containers using lids (8.1%). The community had good understanding on dengue and the main source of information was from the electronic media. However it was found that good knowledge itself does not necessarily lead to good practices. The respondents' attitudes were found to be good and most of them were supportive of control measures. Mass media is an important means of conveying health messages to the public, thus research and development of educational strategies designed to improve behaviour and practices of effective control measures through mass media among the community are recommended. Financial support by World Health Organization TDR/WHO Multi Country Study on "Eco-Bio-Social Research on Dengue in Asia" is acknowledged.