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This repository contains the published and unpublished research of the Faculty of Medicine by the staff members of the faculty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
2 results
Search Results
Item A Descriptive study of knowledge, beliefs and practices regarding osteoporosis among female medical school entrants in Sri Lanka(BioMed Central Ltd., 2014) de Silva, R.E.E.; Haniffa, M.R.; Gunathillaka, K.D.K.; Atukorala, I.; Fernando, E.D.P.S.; Perera, W.L.S.P.BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is a significant problem in rapidly ageing populations in Asian regions. It causes significant personal and societal impact and increases the burden on health care services. OBJECTIVES: Aim of this study is to determine the knowledge, beliefs and practices regarding osteoporosis amon young females entering medical schools in Sri Lanka. METHODS: This is a descriptive cross sectional study conducted amongst 186 female medical school entrants of th Faculties of Medicine, Universities of Colombo and Kelaniya from September to December 2010. A self administere questionnaire was used to assess knowledge, beliefs and practices on osteoporosis, including a food frequenc chart to assess the calcium intake. RESULTS: The mean age was 20.7 +/? 2.1 years. Majority of the participants (51.6%, n = 96) had an average scor (40? 60) on the knowledge test, while 40.8% (n = 76) had a poor score (<40). However, in depth knowledge o risk factors, and protective factors was lacking. Perceived susceptibility for osteoporosis was low with only 13.9 (n = 26) of women agreeing that their chances of getting osteoporosis are high. The mean calcium intake wa 528 mg/day and only 18.8% (n = 35) of the participants achieved the Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA) fo Calcium. Exercise was grossly inadequate in the majority and only 13.6%( n = 23) engaged in the recommende exercises. Only 3.8% (n =7) of the participants currently engaged in specific behaviours to improve bone healt while 10.8% (n = 20) had thought of routinely engaging in such behaviours. CONCLUSIONS: Although majority of participants had a modest level of knowledge on osteoporosis, there wer gaps in their knowledge in relation to risk factors, protective factors and on the insidious nature of osteoporosis Perceived susceptibility for osteoporosis was low. Practices towards preventing Osteoporosis were inadequate. © 2014 Ediriweera de Silva et al.Item Prevalence of osteoporosis in a sample of Sri Lankan urban population(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2008) Karunanayake, A.L.; Salgado, L.S.S.; Abeysuriya, V.; Fernando, S.; Herath, H.M.R.P.; Kumarendran, B.; Premaratna, B.A.H.R.; Mahawithanage, S.T.C.BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mineral density and deterioration in the micro architecture of bone. It predisposes individuals to increased risk of fractures of the hip, spine and other skeletal sites. Peripheral DEXA (P-DEXA) scans are ideal for mass screening of bone mineral density (BMD). OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia in a sample of urban Sri Lankans. DESIGN, SETTING AND METHODS: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted at the Faculty of Medicine, University ofKelaniya from July 2007 to October 2007. The study subjects were selected from 22 Gramasevaka Niladhari Divisions of the Ragama MOH area. From each division, people aged 35 to 65 years were randomly selected from the voters list and invited to participate in the study. A P-DEXA scan was used to measure the BMD of the left middle finger. A T score of <-2.5 was considered as osteoporosis, -1 to -2.5 as osteopenia. These two categories together were considered low BMD. A T score of > -1 was considered normal. RESULTS: There were 731 subjects with a mean age (SD) of 52.5 (7.5) comprising 60% females. The prevalences of osteoporosis and osteopenia were 14% and 29% respectively. 20% of females and 6% of males were affected with osteoporosis. The prevalence of osteoporosis was 7% among those <50 years and 20% among those >50 years. CONCLUSION: There was a high prevalence of low BMD in this urban population. Prevalence of low BMD was higher among females and those over fifty years.