Allied Health Sciences

Knowledge and Practices Regarding First Aid among School Teachers in the Kurunegala Zonal Educational Division

2023-04-26T11:32:42Z

Knowledge and Practices Regarding First Aid among School Teachers in the Kurunegala Zonal Educational Division Perera, LKKJPAPA; Molligoda, H To describe knowledge and practices regarding First Aid among school teachers in the Kurunegala Zonal Educational Division. A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out using a sample of 384 school teachers. Simple random sampling method was used to select the sample and Self administered questionnaires were used to assess knowledge on first aid. Data analysis was conducted with the computer software SPSS version16.0. Most of the participants, 332(86.5%) were female and 52(13.5%) participants were male. Only one fourth (24.0%) of the participants had received first aid training. 94 (24.5%) participants had "very good knowledge" while, 152 participants (39.6%) had "Good knowledge" and 106(27.6%) participants had "Average knowledge" on First Aid. While only 32(8.3%) participants had "Poor knowledge" regarding first aid. The mean average knowledge level on first aid was 68.56%. The mean knowledge level on emergency management was only 50.52%. There was no statistically significant difference in knowledge level when comparing gender and educational status. Statistically significant association was found in knowledge level when comparing age groups, work experience and previous first aid training. The mean knowledge level on first aid was less in the 21-30 year age group, when compared to the other groups (p=0.003). The mean knowledge level on first aid was less in the group with less than 5 years work experience (p=0.002). Participants who had prior training in first aid had better mean knowledge level than those with no training (p=0.002).322 (83.9%) participants claimed that the commonest incident when they had to administer first aid was fainting, while 46 (12%) said blunt injuries. Over 90% of participants had at least an average knowledge level. The knowledge on emergency management needs to be improved. The findings also indicate the need of first aid training programme for school teachers. Article Full text

Knowledge Regarding Risk Factors for Oral Cancer among Adult Residents in Thelumpitiya area, Kegalle District, Sri Lanka

2023-04-26T11:26:27Z

Knowledge Regarding Risk Factors for Oral Cancer among Adult Residents in Thelumpitiya area, Kegalle District, Sri Lanka Amarathunga, LGPS; Meegoda, KDL Objective: This study focused on assessing the level of knowledge regarding risk factors for oral cancer among residents in selected rural communities of Thelumpitiya area of Kegalle District, Subaragamuwa province. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional descriptive design, utilizing a validated questionnaire to collect information from 260 adult residents of the study area about knowledge on risk factors (RFs) for oral cancer and risks associated with betel chewing and alcohol consumption who consented to participate. Data analysis was conducted with the computer software SPSS version16.0 and Chi square tests were carried out at 0.05 level of significance. Results: The results showed that 65% percent of the respondents were unable to recognize RFs for oral cancer (OC), while 54% were unable to identify what constitute modifiable risk factors (MRFs) associated with OC (tobacco use, alcohol consumption and betel chewing). A significant proportion (95%) demonstrated poor knowledge of what constituted non-modifiable risk factors (NMRFs) eg. family history, genotype and age. Regarding risk behaviors (RBs) associated with OC, 86% of the subjects had identified betel chewing with tobacco and lime, cigarette smoking (67%), use of smokeless tobacco (79%) as RFs for OC. Only19% of subjects had identified family history, 39% genotype, 12% age and 4% race as NMRFs related to OC. Majority of male (54%) and female (78%) had poor knowledge on RF for OC (p < 0.05).The level of knowledge regarding RFsfor OC showed significant association with educational attainment (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Findings indicate that knowledge regarding RFs for OC among rural population was poor and that there was a positive significant association between knowledge and educational level. Therefore, this study strongly recommends strategically designed health education programmes in order to increase the level of public awareness on RFs for OC. Article Full text

Analysis of Radiological Request Forms for Radiological Examinations in Conjunction with Optimization of Exposure Parameters

2023-04-26T11:35:45Z

Analysis of Radiological Request Forms for Radiological Examinations in Conjunction with Optimization of Exposure Parameters Sathyathas, P; De Silva, KDS; Jayasekara, UMUW All radiological request forms (RRFs) should be adequately and legibly completed, when performing radiological examination exposure parameters (EPs) should be within the standard level to maintain patient care and high accuracy of diagnosis. This study was assigned as a descriptive cross sectional study in one of teaching hospital in Srilanka.450 RRFs and optimizations of EPs were assessed by careful observation while performing the radiological examinations within three months period of time. Data analysis revealed 360 out of the 450 RRFs were completed fully. It was 80%. Commonest unfilled fields were clinical history (4.89%) and patients' sex (4.44%) in RRFs. Properly set EPs were observed in 434 request forms out of 450 while performing examinations. It was 96.44%. Focal spot size (5.56%) and FFD (5.11%) were high percentage of improper used fields. The Study was revealed satisfactory completion of RRFs and optimization of EPs for radiological examination purposes, while 20% of RRFs were not filled completely. 9.77 out of 10 fields were filled adequately in RRF. 5.76 out of 6 fields were used properly when examining the patients. Article Full text

In-Body Stray Neutrons Produced in Carbon and Proton Radiation Therapy

2023-04-26T11:36:26Z

In-Body Stray Neutrons Produced in Carbon and Proton Radiation Therapy Hewadikaram, DK; Horoi, MH It has been revealed that a significant amount of secondary neutrons are produced during carbon and proton radiation therapy. Thus, the study of secondary neutrons due to their high linear energy transfer can be considered as of vital importance. Therefore, the objective was to study the secondary neutrons production just from the patients (water phantoms) for 12C and proton beams. Furthermore, the study ventures to discover the manner in which the stray neutron equivalent dose per therapeutic dose (H/D) vary with distance for different energies for 12C and the possibility of identifying a simple relationship to calculate H/D at different distances for different energies. Although there is no simple dependence of H/D Vs Depth inside the body, a higher H/D from 12C beams compared to Proton beams was discovered. This particular study was conducted utilizing FLUKA Monte Carlo simulation package. Article Full text