Journal of Health Sciences and Innovative Researchhttp://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/93962024-03-29T05:29:47Z2024-03-29T05:29:47ZA Qualitative Exploration of Factors Associated with Malnutrition among Community-dwelling Malnourished Older People in Kandy District, Sri LankaDamayanthi, H.D.W.TAbdullah, K.LMoy, F.Mhttp://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/103852022-03-02T10:00:44Z2021-01-01T00:00:00ZA Qualitative Exploration of Factors Associated with Malnutrition among Community-dwelling Malnourished Older People in Kandy District, Sri Lanka
Damayanthi, H.D.W.T; Abdullah, K.L; Moy, F.M
Introduction: Nutrition plays an important role in older people. Numerous factors are associated with
malnutrition among community-dwelling older people. However, little is known about how
malnourished older people experience their nutritional status. This study aimed to explore how
malnourished community-dwelling older people perceive the factors associated with their nutritional
status. Methods: An explorative qualitative design was performed in Kandy District, Sri Lanka. A
group of 150 malnourished community-dwelling older people identified from a cross sectional survey
were invited for Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). A purposive sampling method was used. Fifteen
FGDs were conducted among 85 participants. A thematic analysis was done to identify relevant themes
related to malnutrition status. Results: The mean age of the participants was 68.74 years (SD± 6.32).
Their age range was 60 to 97 years. Four main themes were identified through FGDs: (1) factors
affecting dietary patterns, (2) food choices, (3) health status, and (4) psychological challenges.
Conclusions: Community-dwelling malnourished older people stated factors associated with their
dietary patterns, such as age-related factors, food choices, health status and mental status, lead to their
malnutrition status. Public health professionals must understand and recognize these realities to
improve the nutritional status of community-dwelling older people.
2021-01-01T00:00:00ZAssessment of Knowledge and Healthcare Related Practices of Caregivers Regarding Home Management of Children with Nephrotic SyndromeMadhushani, J.S.SBandara, W.V.R.T.D.Ghttp://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/103842022-03-02T09:55:02Z2021-01-01T00:00:00ZAssessment of Knowledge and Healthcare Related Practices of Caregivers Regarding Home Management of Children with Nephrotic Syndrome
Madhushani, J.S.S; Bandara, W.V.R.T.D.G
Introduction: Nephrotic Syndrome (NS) is the commonest chronic glomerular disorder characterized
by heavy proteinuria, hypoproteinaemia, oedema and hyperlipidaemia. Parental motivation and
involvement are essential for home management of a child with NS. This study was conducted to assess
caregivers' knowledge and healthcare related practices regarding home management of children with
NS. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among caregivers (n=94) attending
the Paediatric Nephrology Clinic (PNC) at the Teaching Hospital Karapitiya, Sri Lanka. Data were
collected through an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version
20. Results: The majority of the respondents (71.3%) were mothers. The majority of children with NS
in the study sample were boys (70.2%), and their mean age was 7.6±3 years. About 40.4% of children
had onset of disease at the age of 2-3 years. The majority of participants (53.2%) had scored more than
75 marks for knowledge. The practice score of the majority (66.0%) was between 50-100. The mean
knowledge score was significantly higher in the participants who have managed their child with NS for
6-8 years (p=0.006) and for 9-11 years (p=0.019), compared to the participants who have managed their
child with NS for 3-5 years. The mean knowledge score was significantly higher in the participants
with the family history with NS in compared to the participants without family history of NS (p=0.001).
A statistically significant association was found between mean practice score and the number of living
children in the family (p=0.009). Mean practice score of the participants who had more than four living
children was significantly higher than the participants who had two living children in their family
(p=0.002). However, a significant negative correlation was observed between knowledge on NS and
healthcare related practices of the participants (r= -0.240, n=94, p=0.020, 2-tailed). Conclusions: The
overall knowledge and practices of parents/caregivers regarding home management of children with
NS attending to the PNC, Teaching Hospital Karapitiya, Sri Lanka, was adequate and satisfactory.
2021-01-01T00:00:00ZEvaluation of Patient Satisfaction and Patient-physician Relationship in an Out- Patient Department Re-engineered through a Health Information Management System: A Descriptive Study Done at a Major Women’s Hospital in Sri LankaMadhuwanthi, R.M.Marasinghe, R.Bhttp://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/103832022-03-02T09:51:52Z2021-01-01T00:00:00ZEvaluation of Patient Satisfaction and Patient-physician Relationship in an Out- Patient Department Re-engineered through a Health Information Management System: A Descriptive Study Done at a Major Women’s Hospital in Sri Lanka
Madhuwanthi, R.M.; Marasinghe, R.B
Introduction: Health information management is one of the major pillars in a health system that
improves the effectiveness and efficiency of health services. It is essential to assess the patient
perception towards re-engineered services provide through Hospital Information Management Systems
(HIMSs) and how this implementation affects the doctor-patient relationship. The objective of the study
was to describe the extent of patient satisfaction towards Out-Patient Department (OPD) services,
pharmacy service and patient-physician relationship in the OPD, re-engineered through a HIMS, at the
Castle Street Hospital for Women (CSHW), Sri Lanka. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study
was carried out among 362 out-patients aged over 18 years attending the OPD of the CSHW during
2018-2019. Consecutive sampling method, and an interviewer-administrated questionnaire were used
to collect data. The quantitative analysis was done using the SPSS software version 23. The sentiment
analysis was performed to analyze comments given by patients using the Rapid Miner software.
Results: All participants were females with a mean age of 41years (±13.58). Almost all participants
were satisfied with overall services provided by the OPD (99.7%) and the pharmacy (98.4%). The
majority (65.3%) agreed that implementation of the HIMS had improved the doctor-patient
relationship. All reported comments regarding the re-engineered services of the OPD were ‘positive’.
The study also suggests considering providing information in all common languages while announcing
the patient’s OPD number at the waiting area in future implementations. Conclusions: The majority of
patients were satisfied with the overall OPD services provided through implementation of the HIMS at
the CSHW, Sri Lanka
2021-01-01T00:00:00ZKnowledge and Attitudes on Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and its Associated Factors among a Selected Population of Pregnant Mothers Attending Antenatal Clinics in Mathugama, Western Province of Sri LankaWimalajeewa, T.M.D.Y.DHettiaratchi, U.P.Khttp://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/103812022-03-02T09:48:16Z2021-01-01T00:00:00ZKnowledge and Attitudes on Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and its Associated Factors among a Selected Population of Pregnant Mothers Attending Antenatal Clinics in Mathugama, Western Province of Sri Lanka
Wimalajeewa, T.M.D.Y.D; Hettiaratchi, U.P.K
Introduction: Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) has become an emerging metabolic disorder around the world
leading to type 2 diabetes mellitus in two generations, including the mother and the offspring.
Complications associated with GDM can be prevented by proper management of the disease. This study
aimed to assess knowledge and attitudes on GDM and its associated factors in a selected population of
pregnant mothers in Sri Lanka. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among
eight antenatal clinics in the Mathugama Medical Officer of Health (MOH) area, Sri Lanka. Pregnant
mothers of less than 20 weeks of gestation (n=150) attending the above clinics were selected by
convenience sampling. A pre-tested, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used as the data
collection instrument. The SPSS version 23 was used for data analysis. Descriptive statistics, visual
binning, independent sample t-test and bivariate correlation were used as statistical tools. Results: Only
4.7% of participants had developed GDM previously. The mean gestational age of the study participants
was 12±5 weeks. The mean percentage knowledge score regarding GDM was 36.1±23.3%. Only 20.0%
had good knowledge and 35.3% had poor knowledge about GDM. Age (p=0.017), level of education
(p=0.024), history of GDM (p=0.033), and family history of diabetes mellitus (p=0.025) had significant
associations with the knowledge on GDM. In addition, positive correlations were found between the
mean knowledge score for GDM and gestational age (p=0.001), and the gravidity (p=0.018) of the
participants (p<0.05). Conclusions: Only a minority of the study group (20.0%) had good knowledge
about GDM while, more than 50.0% of the participants showed positive attitude towards the
management of GDM. Therefore, taking measures to enhance the pregnant mothers’ knowledge
regarding GDM is a timely and important action that ultimately leads to healthy pregnancy outcomes.
2021-01-01T00:00:00Z