Medicine
Permanent URI for this communityhttp://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/12
This repository contains the published and unpublished research of the Faculty of Medicine by the staff members of the faculty
Browse
3 results
Search Results
Item Epidemiology of goiters in Sri Lanka with Geographic Information System Mapping: population-based cross-sectional study [Author Reply](Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers, 2016) Fernando, R.Author Reply to comments by Mayilvaganan, S. Chekavar, A. Agarwal, A. on “Epidemiology of Goiters in Sri Lanka with Geographic Information System Mapping: Population-based Cross-sectional Study, Fernando, R. et. al.” appeared in World Journal of Endocrine Surgery.2015;7(3):55-59Item Spatial epidemiology and hotspots of Rotavirus In children: an analysis and mapping using Geographic Information System(Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians, 2010) Gunawardena, N.K.; Rajindrajith, S.; Chandrasena, T.G.A.N.; Nishizono, A.; Moji, K.; Ahmed, K.INTRODUCTION: Rotavirus is a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis in Sri Lanka. Studies from the western world have assessed the seasonal variations of this infection and its association with environmental factors such as rainfall and temperature. However, little is known of its seasonal variation and geographical distribution in Sri Lanka. Areliable and updated distribution map of rotavirus infection is essential for target control strategies and policy making processes. Geographical Information. System (GIS) has previously been used to monitor spatial distribution of diseases and their transmission dynamics. For the first time we describe the spatial epidemiological patterns of rotavirus diarrhoea in Sri Lanka. OBJECTIVE: To study the spatial epidemiological distribution of rotaviral infection among children with diarrhoeal diseases admitted to the North Colombo Teaching Hospital, Ragama. DESIGN, SETTING AND METHOD: This study was carried out in two phases. Phase I, a prospective hospital-based study, was conducted in the North Colombo Teaching Hospital from January 2008 to October 2009 to detect the incidence of rotavirus infection in children with diarrhoea. Stool samples were analyzed for Group A rotavirus antigen by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (EL1SA) (Rotaclone). During Phase II of the study, patients with rotavirus infection were mapped using geographic coordinates obtained from a hand-held GIS receiver (Trimble Juno SB). Rainfall and temperature data for the years 2008 and 2009 in the Gampaha District were obtained from the Department of Meteorology, Sri Lanka and correlated with the spatial distribution data. RESULTS: In 2008 and 2009, 71 (60.6% males) and 99 (63.6% males) had rotavirus infection respectively. Spatial distribution data showed that most rotavirus infections (78%) presenting to the Teaching Hospital, Ragama were coming from a 10 km radius of catchment area. The hot spots were clustered in and around the marshy land areas of the Gampaha District and 67% use water from their own well or from the well of a neighbour. The peak incidence in both years was between May and July which coincided with the highest rainfall to the area. There was no correlation between environmental temperature and rotavirus infection rates. CONCLUSION: Incidence of rotavirus infection is highest in children living around marshy lands and using water from private sources such as a well.Item Epidemiology of goitres in Sri Lanka with Geographic Information System Mapping: a population based cross sectional study(Jaypee Publishers, 2015) Fernando, R.; Chandrasinghe, P.C.; Nandasena, S.; Pathmeswaran, A.BACKGROUND: Sri Lanka is considered an endemic region for goiter. Early researchers have suggested the existence of a goiter belt based on rainfall pattern. Subsequent studies done in school children have challenged this theory. Current study is a community-based cross-sectional study done to assess the epidemiology of goiters. Geographic information system (GIS) mapping of the goiter prevalence is developed for the first time in Sri Lanka. METHODS: Study subjects were selected using a multi-staged cluster sampling with probability proportionate to size (PPS) method. Examination for the presence of goiters was done by two trained investigators and graded. ArcGIS 10 software was used for geostatistical analysis and developing a map by interpolating the data collected for the first time in Sri Lanka. RESULTS: A total of 5200 individuals (female-66%, median age-38 years; range 10-92 years) were assessed and 426 goiters were detected. The adjusted prevalence rate of goiters was 6.8%. Kriging interpolation method was used to develop the most appropriate epidemiological map clustering of high prevalence areas with scattered pockets of high prevalence was observed. Current map does not show a prevalence pattern in relation to the rainfall or elevation above sea level as proposed in the past. CONCLUSION: Goiter prevalence in Sri Lanka appears to be different from earlier proposed patterns. Use of GIS has contributed to develop a comprehensive epidemiological map of goiters demonstrating the absence of an endemic goiter belt in the wet zone as proposed earlier.