21 research outputs found
Prevalence and predictors of osteoporosis in an urban Sri Lankan population
No full textAim: To determine the prevalence of osteoporosis in both women and men and to determine the association between osteoporosis and selected risk factors among a sample of urban Sri Lankan adults. Methods: The population aged 35-64 years residing in 22 Grama Niladhari divisions, the smallest administrative units in the country, of the Medical Officer of Health area Ragama, Sri Lanka, was identified using the electoral list and stratified into three age groups (n = 3012). A random sample was obtained from each stratum and selected individuals were invited to participate in the study (n = 1100). A structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on demographic data and details of risk factors. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured using a peripheral dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan in 700 subjects (64%). A BMD 50 years (OR 3.1), low BMI (OR 3.1) and low level of education (OR 1.7) were positively associated with osteoporosis. Conclusions: Female sex, age, BMI, smoking and level of education were significant predictors of osteoporosis. The prevalence of osteoporosis increased in both women and men after 50 years. © 2010 The Authors. International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases. © 2010 Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology and Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.No Full Tex
Socioeconomic inequality and determinants of postnatal home visits made by public health midwives: An analysis of the Sri Lanka Demographic and Health Survey.
No full textIntroductionThe impact of socioeconomic inequalities on health outcomes and service delivery is increasingly researched globally. This study assessed the overall and sector-wise socioeconomic inequality in postnatal home visits made by Public Health Midwives (PHMs) in Sri Lanka and decomposed the observed socioeconomic inequality into potential determinants.MethodsData from the Sri Lanka Demographic and Health Survey (SLDHS) 2006-07 were used. Data were collected from ever-married women who gave birth to their last child in 2001 or later (up to 2007). Whether the PHM visited the home to provide postnatal care within one month of the delivery was the health outcome of interest. Sri Lanka is divided into three sectors (areas) as urban, rural, and estate (plantation) based on the geographical location and the availability of infrastructure facilities. Concentration indices were calculated and concentration curves were plotted to quantify the overall and sector-wise socioeconomic inequality. Decomposition analysis using probit regression was performed to estimate the contribution of potential determinants to the observed socioeconomic inequality.ResultsOverall, 83.0% of women were visited by a PHM within one month of the delivery. The highest number of home visits was reported in the rural sector (84.5%) and lowest was reported from the estate sector (72.4%). A pro-poor, pro-rich, and no inequality were observed across urban, rural, and estate sectors respectively. Wealth had a small contribution to the estimated inequality. Province of residence and the education level of women were the main determinants of the observed socioeconomic inequality.ConclusionAddressing the socioeconomic inequality of postnatal home visits made by PHMs should not be seen as a health system issue alone. The associated social determinants of health should be addressed through a multi-sectoral approach encompassing the principles of primary health care
Treatment seeking behaviour and treatment practices of lymphatic filariasis patients with lymphoedema in the Colombo district, Sri Lanka
No full textThis cross-sectional, descriptive study describes the treatment-seeking behavior of 413 lymphoedema patients attending 2 filariasis clinics in the Colombo district, Sri Lanka. A pretested, interviewer-administered questionnaire obtained information regarding sources and types of treatment taken, time taken for diagnosis, and details regarding diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC) treatment. There was a mean delay of 2.37 years (SD 1.37) in diagnosing filariasis after the first appearance of limb swelling. General practitioners were the most frequent first-contact health care providers and the most visited source overall, followed by government hospitals and Ayurvedic practitioners. Approximately 95% of patients were on DEC treatment ranging from 10 days to 43 years (mean 2.5 years SD ± 1.1). Sixty-one percent of patients reported always having taken the recommended DEC course. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, diuretics, and antibiotics were liberally prescribed. Approximately 97% had sought treatment from a medical practitioner for an acute adenolymphangitis attack. Despite the area being endemic for filariasis, there was a delay in treatment and inappropriate use of DEC in patients with chronic filarial lymphoedema
Decomposition of observed socioeconomic inequality of postnatal home visits made by PHMs within one month of delivery.
No full textDecomposition of observed socioeconomic inequality of postnatal home visits made by PHMs within one month of delivery.</p
Overall and sector-wise socioeconomic inequalities of postnatal home visits made by PHMs within one month of delivery.
No full textOverall and sector-wise socioeconomic inequalities of postnatal home visits made by PHMs within one month of delivery.</p
Percentage of mothers received a postnatal home visit by a PHM within one month of delivery by sociodemographic characteristics.
No full textPercentage of mothers received a postnatal home visit by a PHM within one month of delivery by sociodemographic characteristics.</p
Disability-adjusted life years due to COVID-19 in Sri Lanka: a retrospective cross-sectional study
No full textObjectives To estimate the health burden of COVID-19 in Sri Lanka using disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and to investigate how the burden varies across age groups and sex.Methods and analysis A retrospective study was conducted based on information obtained from the daily situation reports and monthly epidemiological reports issued by the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka. DALYs due to COVID-19 in Sri Lanka from 27 January 2020 to 30 June 2022 were estimated by age and sex. For the calculation, we also included the DALYs due to mild anxiety for the family members of the patients with COVID-19.Results The total number of COVID-19 cases reported during this time period was 664 123, of which, 54% were males. There were 16 521 deaths reported giving a case fatality rate of 2.48%, which was higher in females as compared with males. The total years of life lost during this period is estimated to be 77 679 for males and 115 065 for females. The estimate of DALYs due to COVID-19 in Sri Lanka was 269 606 corresponding to 12.2 per 1000 population.Conclusion Compared with other countries, the burden of COVID-19 in Sri Lanka, as assessed by DALYs, was relatively low. This may be due to the country being an island and the strict rules imposed by the government to limit the spread of the disease. Assessing the impact of COVID-19 using only DALYs does not reflect the devastating economic and social consequences experienced by the country
Contribution of each determinant to the observed socioeconomic inequality in postnatal home visits made by PHMs.
No full textContribution of each determinant to the observed socioeconomic inequality in postnatal home visits made by PHMs.</p
Overall and sector-wise concentration curves for home visits made by PHMs during the postnatal period.
No full textOverall and sector-wise concentration curves for home visits made by PHMs during the postnatal period.</p
Low-level exposure to organophosphate pesticides leads to restrictive lung dysfunction
No full textSummaryApart from symptomology, there are very few reports on lung function following exposure to low levels of organophosphate (OP) pesticides in man.Twenty-five occupationally exposed farmers and 22 environmentally exposed freshwater fishermen were evaluated between and during OP spray seasons. Forty marine fishermen living away from agricultural areas were recruited as a control group. Forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) were measured by spirometry. Haemoglobin corrected erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (AChE) levels were measured during and between (baseline estimation) spray seasons using a portable WHO-approved Test-mate system (EQM Research, Ohio).FVC ratio was lower in the farmers as compared to the controls (P<0.001) between exposure seasons. In the farmers, FVC ratio decreased further during the exposure season (P=0.023). FEV1 was lower in the farmers as compared to the controls in both periods (P<0.05). In the fishermen, the decrease in ratios of FVC and FEV1 following exposure to pesticides was not significant. FEV1/FVC ratios were similar in the three groups between (P=0.988) and during (P=0.159) exposure periods. Following exposure to OPs, AChE levels dropped 12.75% in the farmers (P<0.001) and 5.62% in the freshwater fishermen (P=0.001).Occupational exposure to OP results in restrictive lung dysfunction, a phenomenon not observed following environmental exposure
