Effectiveness of a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)-based intervention for reducing anxiety among adolescents in the Colombo District, Sri Lanka: cluster randomized controlled trial.

Anxiety disorders are found to be the most prevalent psychological problems among children and adolescents. Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) was found to be effective at reducing anxiety. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a universal school-based intervention for reducing anxiety among Grade 9 schoolchildren.

Greater male variability in daily energy expenditure develops through puberty.

There is considerably greater variation in metabolic rates between men than between women, in terms of basal, activity and total (daily) energy expenditure (EE). One possible explanation is that EE is associated with male sexual characteristics (which are known to vary more than other traits) such as musculature and athletic capacity. Such traits might be predicted to be most prominent during periods of adolescence and young adulthood, when sexual behaviour develops and peaks.

Development and validation of the Quality of Work Life Scale for elderly workers.

Background: With the rapid rise in the elderly population and their labour force participation, quality of work life (QoWL) of elderly workers becomes an important concept. A valid instrument to measure elderly workers QoWL is a prerequisite to further in this direction.

Objective: To develop and validate the Quality of Work Life Scale-Elderly (QoWLS-E) for elderly workers 60 years and above in Sri Lanka.

Prediction Equation for Physical Activity Energy Expenditure in 11-13-Year-Old Sri Lankan Children.

This study aimed to develop a regression equation to predict physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) using accelerometry. Children aged 11-13 years were recruited and randomly assigned to validation ( = 54) and cross-validation ( = 25) groups. The doubly labelled water (DLW) technique was used to assess energy expenditure and accelerometers were worn by participants across the same period.

Effects of probiotics combined with dietary and lifestyle modification on clinical, biochemical, and radiological parameters in obese children with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Childhood obesity is a global problem associated with metabolic abnormalities. The gut-liver axis is thought to play a major role in its pathogenesis. Probiotics are known to alter the gut microbiota and, therefore, could be a therapeutic option in the management of childhood obesity-related complications.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effectiveness of individual-level interventions to reduce occupational stress perceptions among teachers.

Teachers are largely affected by OS, during their most productive years, leading to catastrophic physical, psychological, and economic burden on themselves, families and society by large. Teachers are responsible for producing the workforce of any nation, and thus have a major impact indirectly on the economy and health of a nation. There are several individual-level interventions conducted to reduce occupational stress (OS) among teachers.

Metabolic Abnormalities in a Cohort of Overweight and Obese Children in an Urban Setting of Sri Lanka.

Childhood obesity-related metabolic derangements are increasing among South Asian populations. Most of these changes persist to adulthood. This study aims to describe the distribution of metabolic abnormalities among 7- to 17-year-old overweight and obese children in the Gampaha District of Sri Lanka.

Micronutrient status and associated factors of adiposity in primary school children with normal and high body fat in Colombo municipal area, Sri Lanka.

Background: The prevalence of obesity and associated risk of chronic diseases are increasing among the paediatric population. The effectiveness of preventive measures and interventions are likely to improve when all factors which associate with obesity in a specific target group are considered. Currently such comprehensive data is unavailable for Sri Lankan children aged 8-9 years.

Prevalence of different states of glucose intolerance in Sri Lankan children and adolescents with obesity and its relation to other comorbidities.

Background: South Asian adults have higher prevalence of obesity comorbidities than other ethnic groups. Whether this also is true for Sri Lankan children with obesity has rarely been investigated.

Objective: To investigate prevalence of glucose intolerance and other comorbidities in Sri Lankan children with obesity and compare them with Swedish children.

Association of Serum Uric acid and Gamma-glutamyltransferase with Obesity Related Metabolic Derangements in a Cohort of Children with Obesity in Sri Lanka.

Introduction: Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and serum uric acid (UA) are known to be associated with cardiovascular disease in obese children

Objectives: To determine the association of serum UA and GGT with components of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a group of obese children and determine the validity of UA and GGT in predicting MetS.

Methods: Cross sectional analytical study was conducted among 205, 5-15 year old obese children. After a 12- hour overnight fast, blood was drawn for glucose, lipid profile, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), insulin, UA and GGT.

Efficacy and safety of two Ayurvedic dosage forms for allergic rhinitis: Study protocol for an open-label randomized controlled trial.

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an immune response of the nasal mucosa to airborne allergens and involves nasal congestion, watery nasal discharge, itching of the nose, and sneezing. The symptoms of allergic rhinitis may significantly affect a patient's quality of life and can be associated with conditions such as fatigue, headache, cognitive impairment, and sleep disturbances. Various complementary and alternative medicine treatments have been used for this condition in clinical practice.

Burnout among postgraduate doctors in Colombo: prevalence, associated factors and association with self-reported patient care.

Background: Postgraduate doctors are prone to burnout due to occupational and educational stressors. Sri Lankan situation is unknown. This study determines burnout among postgraduate doctors in Colombo: Prevalence, associated factors, and association with self-reported patient care.

Assessment of Nutritional Status in Sri Lankan Children: Validity of Current Anthropometry Cutoffs?

Despite socioeconomic improvement, undernutrition rates stagnate in Sri Lanka, while a slow rise in obesity and noncommunicable diseases (NCD) is seen. Inability to improve undernutrition and detection of NCD could be due to overdiagnosing stunting/wasting and underdiagnosing overweight/obesity. Obesity, being a risk factor for NCDs, needs correct tools for early diagnosis.

Evaluation of biochemical and haematological changes in dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever in Sri Lankan children: a prospective follow up study.

Background: Series of biochemical and haematological changes occur during the course of dengue infection, which vary depending on the clinical disease. The patterns of change are not well documented and identifying these patterns in children with dengue infection would help to anticipate the progression to different clinical stages thus enabling effective management.

Methods: A prospective follow up study was conducted during the period of July 2013 - April 2014 at Professorial Pediatric unit, Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Metformin in the Management of Childhood Obesity: A Randomized Control Trial.

Background: Childhood obesity-related metabolic derangements are increasing among South Asian populations. Dietary and physical activity plans have limited effect. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of metformin in the management of obesity among 8- to 16-year-old children in Gampaha District of Sri Lanka.

Hyperglycemia in pregnancy among South Asian women: A single tertiary care center experience from Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Aim: To study case mix, risk factors, adverse outcomes and associations of hyperglycemia in pregnancy in a cohort of Sri Lankans.

Methods: Prospective observational study, from April 2011-October 2015 at a tertiary care referral center, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Data from first trimester to delivery of HIP was analyzed.

Seroprevalence of Bordetella pertussis specific Immunoglobulin G antibody levels among asymptomatic individuals aged 4 to 24 years: a descriptive cross sectional study from Sri Lanka.

Background: In Sri Lanka pertussis continues to circulate in the community and cases among adolescents and adults have been reported despite 95% coverage of the four dose pertussis vaccination during early childhood. Waning of immunity following natural infection or immunization may contribute to the persistent circulation. An adolescent booster dose is not included in the national immunization schedule of Sri Lanka, although this is routine practice in many countries.

Assessing health workers' revenues and coping strategies in Nigeria--a mixed-methods study.

Background: The setting of realistic performance-based financing rewards necessitates not just knowledge of health workers' salaries, but of the revenue that accrues from their additional income-generating activities. This study examined the coping mechanisms of health workers in the public health sector of Nasarawa and Ondo states in Nigeria to supplement their salaries and benefits; it also estimated the proportionate value of the revenues from those coping mechanisms in relation to the health workers' official incomes.

Methods: This study adopted a mixed-methods approach, consisting of semi-structured interviews, a review of policy documents, a survey using self-administered questionnaires, and the randomized response technique (RRT).

A systematic review of outcome and impact of master's in health and health care.

Background: The 'human resources for health' crisis has highlighted the need for more health (care) professionals and led to an increased interest in health professional education, including master's degree programmes. The number of these programmes in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) is increasing, but questions have been raised regarding their relevance, outcome and impact. We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the outcomes and impact of health-related master's degree programmes.

Exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) among welders in Sri Lanka.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a group of persistent organic pollutants with the ability to cause adverse impacts on human health and the environment. This study describes the indiscriminate use of PCB-contaminated transformer oil as a coolant in informal welding shops in Kalutara, Sri Lanka. Sixty-three welders, one each from a convenience sample of 63 welding workshops participated in the study.

Resource allocation in public hospitals: is it effective?

The allocative inefficiency is a fundamental flaw in the public hospitals of the developing countries. The inefficiencies drain the limited public resources allotted for healthcare. Sri Lanka's public health system faces worsening budget constraints.