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This repository contains the published and unpublished research of the Faculty of Medicine by the staff members of the faculty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 Assessment of mental health problems among adolescents in Sri Lanka: Findings from the cross-sectional global school-based health survey(John Wiley and Sons, 2022) Rasalingam, G.; Rajalingam, A.; Chandradasa, M.; Nath, M.Background and aims: Mental health condition among adolescents is a leading cause of health-related disability in Sri Lanka. The study aims to estimate the prevalence and evaluate the associated risk factors in three major mental health domains-loneliness, anxiety and suicidal ideation-among Sri Lankan adolescents. Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data of 3262 adolescents from the Global School-based Health Survey (GSHS) conducted by the WHO in 2016. We modeled the binary outcome variables using multivariable logistic regression models with exposures representing demography, food habits, personal hygiene, behavior, substance abuse, parental and social engagement of the respondents. Results: We estimated the prevalence of loneliness, anxiety and suicidal ideation as 30.8% (95% CI: 29.3, 32.5), 20.2% (95% CI: 18.8, 21.6) and 3.7% (95% CI: 3.1, 4.4), respectively, and the overall prevalence as 40.3% (95% CI: 38.6, 42.0). Mental health problems were more prevalent among females than males. Engagement with parents and close friends, adequate nutritional intake and physically active lifestyles reduced the risk of common mental health problems. Exposure variables like food insecurity, truancy, second-hand smoking, physical fight, and being bullied increased adolescents' risk of reported psychological problems. Conclusions: We conclude that the prevalence of mental health problems in the Sri Lankan adolescent population was higher than the global average. Results suggest that future policy decisions to mitigate mental health problems among Sri Lankan adolescents should incorporate an integrated approach involving the individual, family and community to promote positive home and school environments combined with an active and healthy lifestyle.Item Depression, anxiety and stress among nursing officers in a dedicated hospital for COVID patients in Sri Lanka: A Single institute experience(Professional Medical Publications, Pakistan, 2022) Pathiraja, P.D.M.; Srikanthi, W.S.; Jayamanne, B.D.W.; de Silva, H.S.The main objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of stress, anxiety and depression, among nurses working in a tertiary hospital dedicated to the COVID-19 patients in Sri Lanka. A cross-sectional study was carried out among nurses working at Colombo East Base Hospital. The data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire and DASS-21, a set of three self-report scales designed to measure the negative emotional states of depression, anxiety, and stress over three months from October 2020. Data were analysed applying descriptive statistics and inferential statistical methods. There was a total of 131 study participants (response rate 83 %), and most of them were working in general wards (56%), while 42% were in critical care units. The proportion of anxiety and stress is associated with nurses working in critical care units were significantly higher than those in general wards (p<0.001). There were no associations between sex, marital status, having children, experience, qualifications, and medical or psychiatric conditions (p>0.05). The system of reporting mental health issues was unfortunately not in place. Staff felt that reporting stress/burnout or anxiety might seem like a negative attribute. Considering the above factors, one would expect more prevalence than we have seen in this study; therefore, we can infer that if mental health is not prioritised in healthcare institutions, then definitely lack of awareness/openness and under-reporting by staff will result in a long-term systemic problem (Suffering in the name of Resilience).Item Anxiety and depression among patients at a tertiary care respiratory clinic in Sri Lanka(Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists, 2018) Galhenage, J.S.; Rupasinghe, J.P.N.; Weerasinghe, W.B.D.D.; Abeywardena, G.S.; Williams, S.S.; Gunasena, B.BACKGROUND: Chronic respiratory diseases are associated with increased risk of mood and anxiety disorders. These disorders in turn may lead to frequent hospital admissions and lower treatment adherence among patients with respiratory disease. AIMS: The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of anxiety and depression among patients with chronic lung diseases and their association with socio demographic factors. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among patients at a respiratory outpatient clinic at the National Hospital for Respiratory Diseases, Welisara. Demographic data was collected using an interviewer administered questionnaire; a selfadministered Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale was used to examine for the presence of anxiety or depression. Consecutive patients who gave written informed consent to were included in the study. RESULTS: A total of 451 patients were participated in the study, of whom 274 (60.8%) were females. The mean age was 57.4 (SD=15.3) years and the majority (74.7%) were married. The education level of 226 (50.1%) was between grade 5 and grade 11. There was no permanent income for 196 (43.5%). The majority had bronchial asthma (60.3%) and 151 (33.5%) had one or more co-morbid medical illness. The mean score for the anxiety component was 6.78 (SD=3.59) and for the depression component it was 7.03 (SD=3.11). Seventy (15.5%) screened positive for anxiety and another 100 (22.2%) were doubtful cases. Sixty five (14.4%) screened positive for depression and another 128 (28.4%) were doubtful cases. Participants who were unmarried, divorced, separated or widowed had significantly higher levels of anxiety compared to those who were married (p=0.005). Patients who had a monthly income also had more anxiety compared to those who did not have an income (p=0.003). Conclusions: One fifth of the patients attending the respiratory clinic screened positive for anxiety and depression. This indicates the importance of addressing the psychological morbidity among patients with chronic lung disease.