A GIS based approach to neighbourhood physical environment and walking among adults in Colombo municipal council area, Sri Lanka.

Background: Physical Activity (PA) promotes health and wellbeing and walking is one of the easiest and commonest way to incorporate activity into everyday life. This study examined the association between the objectively measured neighbourhood physical environment and walking among the adults in Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) area in Sri Lanka.

Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out and primary data collection carried out to assess walking, socio-demographic characteristics and geo location of residence.

Undiagnosed diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolaemia in an overweight or obese population: implications for cardiovascular disease risk screening programme.

Introduction: Establishing the burden of undiagnosed CVD risk factors is critical to monitoring public health efforts related to screening and diagnosis.

Objective: To assess the proportion and determinants of undiagnosed diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolaemia, among overweight or obese adults.

Methods: A sample of 1200 participants aged 35-64 years with a BMI ≥25 kg/m2 was selected from the Colombo district.

mHealth nutrition and lifestyle intervention (mHENAL) to reduce cardiovascular disease risk in a middle-aged, overweight and obese population in Sri Lanka: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Mobile phone-based health interventions (mHealth) are viewed as an attractive approach to foster behaviour change, and found to be effective in promoting physical activity and healthy diets. The present study aims to investigate whether mHealth with advice for dietary and lifestyle modifications would reduce 10-year cardio vascular disease (CVD) risk among overweight or obese adults aged 35-64 years in Sri Lanka. A two-group parallel-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted in Colombo district, recruiting 1200 individuals aged 35-64 years with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥25 kgm.

Supplementation of micronutrients in children and food fortification initiatives in Sri Lanka: benefits versus risks.

In recent decades, Sri Lanka has made substantial progress in reducing the burden of micronutrient deficiencies in children by the provision of vitamin A megadose and micronutrient supplementation programs for children of 6-23 months, along with universal iodization of salt. Consumption of voluntarily fortified foods by children was also considerably increased. The objective of our study here was to review such interventions, which are beneficial in childhood, and to assess the risk of toxicity due to excessive intakes of iron, vitamin A, and iodine.

Pattern of Physical Activity Among Sri Lankan Adults in the District of Colombo: A Cross-sectional Study.

Physical inactivity is a modifiable risk factor of many non-communicable diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the pattern of physical activity among Sri Lankan adults in the district of Colombo, Sri Lanka. The study was carried out among a sample of 1320 adults aged 20 to 59 years, selected using stratified, cluster sampling method.

Development and validation of a tool to assess the physical and social environment associated with physical activity among adults in Sri Lanka.

Background: Environmental characteristics are known to be associated with patterns of physical activity (PA). Although several validated tools exist, to measure the environment characteristics, these instruments are not necessarily suitable for application in all settings especially in a developing country. This study was carried out to develop and validate an instrument named the "Physical And Social Environment Scale--PASES" to assess the physical and social environmental factors associated with PA.

Personal and family attributes of pregnant teenagers: findings from a community-based study in Sri Lanka.

Background: Teenage pregnancies are associated with negative outcomes. Prevention requires understanding them and their families.

Objectives: This study aimed to describe personal and family attributes of pregnant teenagers in Sri Lanka.

Development of birth weight for gestational age charts in a Sri Lankan setting - methodological issues.

Background: This study was taken up to identify the main types of low birth weight (LBW) for the development of weight for gestational age charts relevant to the country/regional level for the formulation of preventive strategies.

Materials And Methods: A sample of mothers registered by Public Health Midwives (PHMs) from two Medical Officers of Health (MOH) areas in Colombo district were followed up until delivery in five selected hospitals. Period of gestation (POG) was assessed between 10 and 12 weeks using ultrasonography.

Global healthy backpack initiatives.

Schoolbag use by children is a global common concern.. Children carry school books and other amenities in their school bags.

Determinants of breastfeeding practices: an analysis of the Sri Lanka Demographic and Health Survey 2006-2007.

Identification of factors that predict a woman's infant feeding choice is important for breastfeeding promotion programmes. We analysed a subsample of children under 2 years of age from the most recent Sri Lanka Demographic and Health Survey (SLDHS) to assess breastfeeding practices and factors associated with suboptimal practices. SLDHS 2006-2007 used a stratified two-stage cluster sample of ever-married women aged 15-49 years.

Prevalence of externalizing behavior problems in Sri Lankan preschool children: birth, childhood, and sociodemographic risk factors.

Purpose: There is dearth of epidemiological data on externalizing behavior problems among preschool children in many developing countries. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and associated birth, childhood, and sociodemographic factors of externalizing behavior problems among a community sample of preschool children in Sri Lanka.

Methods: Maternal ratings of child behavior were obtained from a community-based sample of 1,117 in the age group of 4-6 years using the Child Behaviour Assessment Instrument, which was developed and validated to assess externalizing behavior problems of preschool children.

Paradox in treatment seeking: an experience from rural Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka has had a pluralist health care system for centuries, in which Western biomedicine coexists with the Ayurveda system. However, recent studies suggest a declining trend in the use of the Ayurveda system. This study provides insights into the reasons for the low utilization of the Ayurveda system at present.

The Child Behaviour Assessment Instrument: development and validation of a measure to screen for externalising child behavioural problems in community setting.

Background: In Sri Lanka, behavioural problems have grown to epidemic proportions accounting second highest category of mental health problems among children. Early identification of behavioural problems in children is an important pre-requisite of the implementation of interventions to prevent long term psychiatric outcomes. The objectives of the study were to develop and validate a screening instrument for use in the community setting to identify behavioural problems in children aged 4-6 years.

Urban living and obesity: is it independent of its population and lifestyle characteristics?

Objectives: Living in an urban area influences obesity. However, little is known about whether this relationship is truly independent of, or merely mediated through, the demographic, socio-economic and lifestyle characteristics of urban populations. We aimed to identify and quantify the magnitude of this relationship in a Sri Lankan population.

Effect of training for care providers on practice of essential newborn care in hospitals in Sri Lanka.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a training program for care providers in improving practice of essential newborn care in obstetric units.

Design: Before-and-after study with an intervention and a control group.

Setting: Five hospitals in the Puttalam district in Sri Lanka.

Factors associated with maternal knowledge of newborn care among hospital-delivered mothers in Sri Lanka.

The aim of this study was to assess mothers' knowledge on newborn care as well as factors associated with poor knowledge. A cross-sectional study sampled 446 mother-newborn pairs from five hospitals in the Puttalam district of Sri Lanka by stratified random sampling. Maternal knowledge on newborn care was assessed using a questionnaire with 50 statements via exit interview.

Gender differentials of abdominal obesity among the adults in the district of Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Objective: To assess the gender-specific prevalence and determinants of abdominal obesity (AO) within the population and lifestyle diversity of an urban district in Sri Lanka.

Methods: Prevalence of AO (defined by waist circumference) was estimated in a cross-sectional study of 1400 adults aged 20-64, residing in the district of Colombo in 2004. Demographic, socio-economic and lifestyle factors were assessed in gender-specific logistic regression models to identify determinants of AO.

Newborn care practices at home: effect of a hospital-based intervention in Sri Lanka.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of an essential newborn care (ENC) training programme for maternity ward staff in improving newborn care practices after hospital discharge. A before-and-after study was conducted in the community involving mothers who had given birth in two hospitals in the Puttalam district in Sri Lanka. The intervention was a 4-day training programme and primarily aimed at increasing knowledge and skills of ENC among health care providers in the maternity units of these hospitals.

Factors determining client satisfaction with hospital-based perinatal care in Sri Lanka.

Objectives: To describe mothers' satisfaction with perinatal care received during hospitalization for delivery, and to identify sociodemographic and health-care-related factors associated with satisfaction.

Method: A cross-sectional study of 446 mother-newborn pairs from five hospitals in Puttalam district, Sri Lanka, was carried out by stratified randomization. Client satisfaction was measured using a 16-item survey instrument with high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.

Pregnancy--reducing maternal deaths and disability in Sri Lanka: national strategies.

The declining trend in the maternal mortality rate (MMR) from the 1930s to the late 1990s resulted from several strategies implemented within and outside the health sector. Expansion of both field-based and institutional services through the past decades contributed to improved geographical access and provision of 'free' services improved economic access. These led to increased use of antenatal and natal services provided by trained midwives and other personnel followed by improvements in the availability of specialized care and emergency obstetric care.

Development and initial validation of a scale to measure emotional abuse among school children aged 13-15 years in Sri Lanka.

Objective: To develop a scale to measure emotional abuse among school children aged 13-15 years in Sri Lanka that can be used in field settings.

Method: Emotional abuse was defined based on available literature. Review of literature and discussions with a panel identified 85 items indicating abusive behaviors.