https://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/5057 2026-05-05T12:25:24Z 2026-05-05T12:25:24Z Balasuriya, A Gangodawila, UC https://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/5060 2023-04-26T11:44:07Z 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z

Prevalence of Home Accidents among Children Aged 1-4 and Its Association of Knowledge, Attitude and First Aid Practices of Mothers in Sri Lanka Balasuriya, A; Gangodawila, UC Injuries are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children worldwide and in Sri Lanka. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of home accidents among children aged 1-4 years and its association with knowledge, attitude, and first-aid practices of their mothers in the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) area, Bulathsinhala, Sri Lanka. A community-based descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 309 mothers using cluster sampling. Data collected by interviewers using questionnaires were analysed in SPSS version 20. A majority (172, 55.7%) of the children were female. The prevalence of home accidents was 53.7% for three months (95% CI 47.6-59.3). One hundred and ten falls (35.6%, 95% CI 29.9-41.2), 32 (10.4%) cuts, 16 (5.2%) burns, 4 (1.3%) poisonings, 9 (2.9%) chokings, 11 (3.6%) cat/ dog bites, 15 (4.9%) scorpion/ centipede bites and 5 (1.6%) insect bites were reported. First-aid knowledge was good among 40.3% (95% CI=34.3-45.0) mothers, and the attitudes and practices were satisfactory. History of any type of home accident was not associated with overall first aid knowledge (χ2=0.045, p=.907). There was a significant association of a history of animal bites with overall first aid knowledge (χ2=4.456, p=.046) and with specific knowledge on animal bites (χ2=8.762, p=.003). Educating mothers and caregivers about first-aid and further research on risk factors for home accidents and factors affecting the first-aid competency of mothers is recommended.

2021-01-01T00:00:00Z Solomons, TH Malaviarachchi, S Balawardane, J Manjuka, S https://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/5059 2023-04-26T11:26:46Z 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z

Explanatory Models of Cancer among Sri Lankans: An Interim Analysis Solomons, TH; Malaviarachchi, S; Balawardane, J; Manjuka, S Current research shows that health-related beliefs are important in predicting adherence to treatment, the psychological impact of the condition, and the subsequent quality of life. The personal etiological framework of an individual regarding his/ her health condition is referred to as an explanatory model. Explanatory models have been researched in relation to many diseases. The current research literature shows that in Asian countries, individuals have two parallel sets of explanatory models. One is based on the western medical models, while the other is based on cultural and religious beliefs. Thus, it is very important to understand both belief-systems in providing health care. This appears to be even more important in chronic conditions such as cancer, where treatment toxicity and treatment tolerance may have a continued impact on quality of life. The current study explores the explanatory models related to cancer in a convenient sample of 140 adults in Sri Lanka. The study was conducted as an online survey. The study indicates that the biological explanatory models for cancer are strongly believed. The most strongly believed religious-cultural reason for cancer is "Karma". Most participants believed they would choose both Western medical treatments and religious and culture-specific treatments if they or their family members received a cancer diagnosis. The majority believed Western medical treatment to be the most important treatment modality. Thus, it will be important for clinicians to acknowledge the patient's desire to incorporate alternative treatment methods and non-medical explanatory models in providing cancer treatment.

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