https://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/3833 2026-04-22T01:27:55Z https://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/992 Impact of Self-reporting Voice Symptoms on Occupational and Social Life among Stage Drama Actors and Their Knowledge on Vocal Hygiene Techniques, Habits and Treatment Options De Saram, PO; Wijesinghe, T; Toner, MA Stage actors are included in the category of heavy occupational voice users. Literature suggests that they are at a high risk of developing a voice disorder. Impact on occupational and social life was reported among people with voice problems. Actors showed insufficient knowledge on vocal care and the role of speech language therapist. This study was carried out to determine the frequency of self-reporting voice symptoms, to perceive its impact on occupational and social life, to assess the level of knowledge on vocal hygiene techniques, habits and treatment options among stage actors. This cross sectional analytical study consisted of 88 stage drama actors who had been engaged in stage drama acting for minimum 01 year and who practice and/or perform at least 10 days per month. Subjective data; obtained using a self-administered questionnaire and was analyzed quantitatively utilizing descriptive statistics. Sixty three (71.6%) actors reported with voice symptoms and the most frequent self-reported symptom was hoarseness (33%). Affect for stage drama acting (N=45) and complaints of voice changes during stage drama practices and/or performances (N=43) were the reported highly affected occupational items. Complaints of voice changes of actors, by family and/or friends (N=34) was the reported most affected social item. More than half of the participants had some knowledge about 8/14 items that were tested in vocal hygiene techniques and habits section. Knowledge about surgeries as a relevant treatment and speech language therapist as a relevant professional was less. Majority of actors reported an impact on occupational life (83.9%) and social life (68.9%) due to voice problems. Though actors showed knowledge on vocal hygiene techniques, habits and treatment options for voice problems; there were some areas which demonstrated limited knowledge. Higher levels of impact and less knowledge on vocal care strongly suggest vocal hygiene education for stage drama actors. Article Full Text 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/991 Learning Experience of Radiography/ Radiotherapy Graduates in MSc in Medical Physics Programme: Qualitative Study Tudugala, R; Sathyathas, P; Jeyasuthan, M Number of students who follow MSc in medical physics programme in postgraduate level has proliferated dramatically in recent years due to the entrance of Radiography/ Radiotherapy graduates in Sri Lanka.The purpose of this study was to describe the learning experience of Radiography/ Radiotherapy graduates’ in MSc in medical physics programme. A qualitative study using in-depth interviews was conducted among eight Radiography/ Radiotherapy post graduates who follow MSc in Medial Physics programme in a selected university in Sri Lanka at their end of first year between March to April 2015. Data was analysed using thematic analysis.Finally, seven themes emerged from the interviews; availability of MSc programmes, relevancy of the course, course design, external issues, internal issues, career objectives and encouraging junior students. Participants had varied opinions on the one theme; career objectives. Factors which support their learning activities were relevancy of course and carrier objectives. Overall, results of the study suggest that the radiography/ radiotherapy graduates follow MSc in specific field due to unavailability of MSc programmes in their field. Article full Text 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/990 Assessment of Parental Involvement in Addressing Sexual and Reproductive Health Problems among Adolescents an a Rural Village in Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka Rishani, WT; Chandraratne, MANK; Fernando, WMS Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive health (ASRH) is an integral part of wellbeing. The extent and manner of parental involvement in ASRH determine the prevention of adolescents high-risk sexual behaviours. Objective of the current study was to assess the level of Parental Involvement in addressing selected sexual and reproductive health problems among adolescents. A descriptive study was conducted among adolescents between the ages of 10 to 16 years and their own mothers. Seventy two adolescent - parent pairs were selected by a multistage cluster sampling method in Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka. Data were collected by an interviewer administered questionnaire which assessed five dimensions of parental involvement. These dimensions were parental communication and monitoring on reproductive health matters, mere awareness on physical and psychological changes, parent child relationship quality, addressing media influence and peers factors. A scoring system was developed to assess the parental involvement level and thereby four parental involvement groups: Low, moderate, high and very high were formed. Thirty five precent mothers had moderate level of parental involvement while 65% had high level of involvement. None of mothers had low or very high parental involvement levels. Hence parental involvement in overall study sample had a 52.13 mean score. Parent child communication on reproductive health matters, media influence and peer influences showed the lowest mean values. This study highlights the importance of measures targeted to improve the parent adolescent communication and to address media and peers influences on ASRH to improve ASRH in Sri Lanka. Article Full Text 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/989 Learning Styles of Nursing and Midwifery Undergraduates of University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka Utilising the Kolb Learning Style Inventory Sugathapala, RDUP; Siriwardhana, SMSP; Tennakoon, TMSUB The Learning Style Inventory (LSI) is a simple self-description test, based on experiential learning theory that is designed to help individuals identify the way they learn from experience. On the other hand if students learning style is known, academics could assist in selecting appropriate instructional methods and educational options. This study was performed to determine the learning style preference and to find out the relationship between learning styles and socioeconomic background of BSc Nursing undergraduates in University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used. One hundred and forty four undergraduate nursing students participated in the study. Data was collected using selfadministered questionnaires covering the demographic features of students and the Kolb's learning styles inventory. Descriptive statistical procedures were used for analysis. The response rate was 83% (n=144). The majority of nursing students investigated in this study were convergers (40.8%), followed by accommodators (38.3%), divergers (16.7%) and assimilators (4.1%). Learning styles of students showed difference between males and females. Most male students had convergent learning style, while the female dominant learning style was accommodating. Further analysis showed that the final year students had more preferences for active experimentation and concrete experience, while the first year students had preferences for abstract conceptualization and active experimentation. An emphasis needs to be placed on student learning styles and its impact in the educational process. An understanding and incorporation of learning styles in the education of health care providers could have a positive impact not only on the teaching and learning process but also on the effectiveness of interdisciplinary team interactions and the patient educational process. Article Full Text 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z