Medicine

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Author: search.filters.author.Selvaratnam, R.R.Has files: No

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    Nutritional status of tea pluckers.on Norwood Estate, Hatton
    (Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2003) Selvaratnam, R.R.; Pathmeswaran, A.; de Silva, I.D.R.; de Silva, N.R.
    OBJECTIVES: To determine the nutritional status of tea pluckers and to identify factors contributing to anaemia, METHODS: All women tea pluckers of 5 randomly selected divisions of Norwood Estate in Bogawantalawa Plantations, Hatton, were recruited. A dietary survey was carried out using 24 hours recall method. Measurements of height and weight were taken. Haemoglobin (Hb) level in finger prick blood was measured by cyanmethaemoglobin method. Stools were examined for helminth eggs using saline smears and the Kato-Katz technique. Data were analyzed using Epilnfo 6 and SPSS 10. RESULTS: A total of 304 women with a mean age of 37.8 years (SD=8.4) were examined. Mean calorie, protein and iron adequacy were 52.5%, 45.9% and 45.9% respectively. The mean Body Mass Index (BMI) was 18.3 (SD=2.5), while 59.9 % (n=181) were undernourished (BMI<18.5). The mean Hb was 11.02 g/dl (SD=1.45); 76% (n=231) were anaemic (Hb<12 g/dl). 25/248 (10.1%) stool samples examined were hookworm positive. Several variables had a significant association with Hb in bivariate analysis. As most of the variables were related, multiple regression analysis was carried out to identify independent predictor variables. This showed that dietary iron and calorie adequacy, the number of children, and the number of children below 5 years of age, but not hookworm infection, had an independent significant association with Hb. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the study population had evidence of chronic under nutrition as indicated by low BMI and anaemia. Dietary inadequacy of iron appears to contribute more significantly to anaemia than hookworm.infection.
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    Impact of mass chemotherapy filariasis control programme on soil-transmitted helminth infections in Ragama
    (Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2003) de Silva, N.R.; Pathmeswaran, A.; Fernando, S.D.; Weerasinghe, C.R.; Selvaratnam, R.R.; Padmasiri, E.A.
    OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of using albendazole in the'national Mass Drug Administration (MDA) programme for filariasis control, on soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections'in Ragama. METHODS: The prevalence and intensity of STH infections was assessed before and after introduction of albendazole into the MDA programme in the Ragama MOH area, which has endemic transmission of both lymphatic filariasis and STH. Children attending Year 3 classes in 6 schools (selected in a random stratified manner) were examined during a baseline survey in March-May 2002. The follow-up survey (Sept-Oct) covered Year 4 children in the same schools after the MDA programme in July. All stool samples were examined on the day of collection using the modified Kato-Katz technique. RESULTS: The cumulative prevalence of STH infection was very low in both surveys: 4.5% (12/265) at baseline, and 2.0% (5/252) at follow-up. Trichuriasis was. the commonest infection (4.1% and 1.6%), followed by ascariasis (0.8% and 0.4%). The species prevalence rates, cumulative prevalence, and mean egg counts all declined from baseline to follow-up, but the differences were not statistically significant. The majority of children (85%) examined in the follow-up survey said they had taken both diethylcarbamazine citrate and albendazole during the MDA programme. CONCLUSIONS: Although it is possible that inclusion of albendazole in the MDA programme had an impact on STH infections, it is unlikely that any resultant decline in prevalence will have a significant impact on the health of schoolchildren in the Ragama MOH area since prevalence rates are now very low.
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    Nutritional status and productivity of tea pluckers in Norwood Estate, Hatton
    (Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2003) de Silva, N.R.; Selvaratnam, R.R.; Pathmeswaran, A.; de Silva, L.D.R.
    OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of nutritional status on the productivity of tea pluckers in Norwood estate. METHODS: All women tea pluckers of 5 randomly selected divisions of Norwood Estate in Bogawantalawa Plantations, Hatton were recruited. Nutritional status was assessed by measurement of Body Mass Index (BMI) and haemoglobin levels (Hb). The daily weight of tea leaves plucked, and the number of days worked by each woman during November and December 2001 were recorded. Productivity was calculated as average weight of tea leaves plucked per month. Data were analyzed using Epilnfo 6 and SPSS 10. RESULTS: A total of 304 women were recruited to the study. The majority (59.9%) had a low BMI (<18.5), while 76% were anaemic (Hb <12.0 g/dl). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between monthly productivity and Hb levels (Pearson's R = 0.81) but not with BMI. Different regression models were applied to the data to predict the monthly amount of tea plucked in kg. The simplest model using Hb as the only predictor variable revealed that variation in Hb level accounted for 65% of variation in productivity (adjusted R2=0.651). An increase in Hb by 1 g/dl was associated with an increase of 37 kg of tea leaves plucked per month. CONCLUSIONS: Decrease in haemoglobin levels is strongly associated with a decrease in individual productivity of female tea pluckers as indicated by the average weight of tea leaves plucked per month.
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    Nutritional status and productivity of Sri Lankan tea pluckers
    (Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2003) Selvaratnam, R.R.; de Silva, L.D.R.; Pathmeswaran, A.; de Silva, N.R.
    OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of nutritional status on productivity of tea pluckers. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, analytical. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS OF STUDY: All tea pluckers in five divisions of a tea estate in Hatton. MEASUREMENTS: A dietary survey was conducted using the 24 h dietary recall method. Nutritional status was assessed by measurement of body mass index (BMI) and haemoglobin (Hb) levels, and faeces were examined for helminth ova. The daily weight of tea leaves plucked and the number of days worked by each woman during the preceding month were noted from production records. RESULTS: Three hundred and four women (mean age 37.8 years, SD 8.4) were examined. The majority (59.9%) had evidence of chronic energy deficiency (BMI < 18.5). Almost all (94.4%) were anaemic (Hb < 13.3 g/dl, altitude adjusted cutoff). Mean daily iron intake was 8.7 mg (SD 2.3 mg), 45.9% of the national recommended dietary allowance. Only 10.1% had hookworm infection, all of light intensity. Multivariate regression analysis showed that dietary iron intake, the number of children and the number of children below 5 years, but not hookworm infection, were independently associated with Hb (p < 0.05). There was a strong positive correlation between monthly productivity and Hb, but not with BMI. Variation in Hb levels accounted for 65% of variation in productivity (adjusted R2 = 0.651). CONCLUSIONS: Most of the study population had chronic energy deficiency and anaemia. Dietary inadequacy of iron is a much more important causative factor than hookworm infection. Productivity was strongly associated with the degree of anaemia but not with BMI.
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    Impact of mass chemotherapy for the control of filariasis on geohelminth infections in Sri Lanka
    (Academic Press, 2003) de Silva, N.R.; Pathmeswaran, A.; Fernando, S.D.; Weerasinghe, C.R.; Selvaratnam, R.R.; Padmasiri, E.A.; Montresor, A.
    No Abstract Available
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