Strengthening primary health care through community health workers in South Asia.

Unlabelled: The growing health challenges in South Asia require further adaptations of community health worker (CHW) programs as a key element of primary health care (PHC). This paper provides a comparative analysis of CHW programs in five countries (Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka), examines successes and challenges, and suggests reforms to better ensure highly performing CHW programs. To examine CHW programs in the region, we conducted a narrative review of the peer-reviewed and grey literatures, as well as eliciting opinions from experts.

Risk Factors for Latent Tuberculosis among Health-care Workers in Sri Lanka.

Introduction: Management of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) was introduced as a national policy in Sri Lanka in 2022, targeting high-risk groups, including health-care workers (HCWs). This study aimed to identify the potential risk factors for LTBI among HCWs in government hospitals.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted.

Living Conditions and Malaria: A Longitudinal Study in a Rural Malaria-Endemic Area of Sri Lanka.

This study was conducted in a rural malaria-endemic community in Sri Lanka in 2014-2015 because malaria was no longer endemic in the area as of November 2012. Data on sociodemographic factors, living conditions, malaria infections, and use of mosquito protection methods during the period from 1990 to 2015 were collected through a household survey in a systematically selected sample of 724 households, covering >10% of the population in the area. Malaria incidence data were obtained from Anti-Malaria Campaign, and Malaria Research Unit of the University of Colombo.

Reconstitution of oral antibiotic suspensions for paediatric use in households: a cross-sectional study among caregivers of 3-5-year-old children from a selected district, Sri Lanka.

Introduction: Reconstitution of oral pediatric antibiotic suspension by primary caregivers plays an essential role in determining the overall health outcome of the child. Incorrect reconstitution techniques could lead to underdosing, overdosing, or introduction of infection. Underdosing could lead to non-resolving infection and antimicrobial resistance.

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.

An Innovative Telemedicine Initiative From Sri Lanka: The Value of Volunteerism in a Resource-Constrained Scenario During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The unprecedented rise in COVID-19 cases in Sri Lanka since July 2021 led to a situation where the health system was getting overwhelmed. The priority shifted toward triaging patients and identifying those who need immediate medical intervention and managing the rest in home settings. An integrated patient management system where patients could access a medical professional through a short messages service (SMS) and calling system was established.

Improving uptake of non-communicable disease screening in Sri Lanka: eliciting people's preferences using a discrete choice experiment.

A national programme to universally screen the population between 35 and 65 years for non-communicable diseases was established at 'Healthy Lifestyle Centres (HLCs)' in 2011 in Sri Lanka. Despite several efforts by policymakers, the uptake of screening remained <10% of the target population and with disparities in uptake across districts and among men and women. Considering service beneficiaries as a vital stakeholder, a discrete choice experiment was carried out to estimate people's preference for a non-communicable disease screening service delivery model in rural, urban and estate sectors in a district in Sri Lanka.

Association between frailty and disability among rural community-dwelling older adults in Sri Lanka: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: We examined the association between frailty and disability in rural community-dwelling older adults in Kegalle district of Sri Lanka.

Design: A population-based cross-sectional study.

Participants: A total of 746 community-dwelling adults aged ≥60 years.

Health in rural Sri Lanka: A cross-sectional survey of three rural districts.

Introduction: Sri Lanka has a predominantly rural population. However, there is a dearth of research on health and socioeconomic issues in this group.

Objective: To describe basic socioeconomic characteristics and health profile in a rural population.

The association between frailty and quality of life among rural community-dwelling older adults in Kegalle district of Sri Lanka: a cross-sectional study.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to estimate the cross-sectional association of frailty status with overall and domain-specific quality of life (QoL) in rural community-dwelling older adults in Kegalle district of Sri Lanka.

Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted with 746 community-dwelling older adults aged ≥ 60 years living in the rural areas of Kegalle district of Sri Lanka in 2016. A three-stage probability sampling design was used to recruit participants.

Prevalence of frailty in rural community-dwelling older adults in Kegalle district of Sri Lanka: a population-based cross-sectional study.

Objective: Our main objective was to describe the prevalence and associated sociodemographic factors of frailty and pre-frailty in rural community-dwelling older adults in Kegalle district of Sri Lanka.

Design: Community-based cross-sectional study.

Setting: The study was conducted in rural areas of Kegalle district in Sri Lanka.

Cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric evaluation of the Sinhala version of Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale.

Introduction: Instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) are cognitively complex activities related to independent living in the community. Robust IADL scales are needed, however the psychometric properties of instruments have been little evaluated. There is no validated instrument for Sri Lankan older populations.

Prevalence of frailty and prefrailty among community-dwelling older adults in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To systematically review the research conducted on prevalence of frailty and prefrailty among community-dwelling older adults in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) and to estimate the pooled prevalence of frailty and prefrailty in community-dwelling older adults in LMICs.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. PROSPERO registration number is CRD42016036083.

Risk factors of peripheral arterial disease: a case control study in Sri Lanka.

Background: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is an important global health problem and contributes to notable proportion of morbidity and mortality. This particular manifestation of systemic atherosclerosis is largely under diagnosed and undertreated. For sustainable preventive strategies in a country, it is mandatory to identify country-specific risk factors.

Gaps in awareness of peripheral arterial disease in Sri Lanka: a cross sectional study.

Background: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is an emerging problem in Sri Lanka, particularly with the ageing population. A considerable number of patients are detected at a late stage with severe limb ischemia or chronic non-healing leg ulceration. Public awareness about PAD is important in developing preventive strategies.

ABPI against Colour Duplex Scan: A Screening Tool for Detection of Peripheral Arterial Disease in Low Resource Setting Approach to Validation.

Background. In Sri Lanka the ABPI has not been used as a screening tool to detect peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in epidemiological studies. This study was conducted to determine the best cutoff value of ABPI to detect PAD in Sri Lankan population.

A cross-sectional study on peripheral arterial disease in a district of Sri Lanka: prevalence and associated factors.

Background: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a slowly progressive atherosclerotic disease affecting vital organs of the body, is increasingly recognized as a health burden worldwide. Epidemiological information on peripheral arterial disease is scarce in Sri Lanka. The present study intended to estimate the prevalence and associated factors of PAD among adults aged 40-74 years in Gampaha district, Sri Lanka.

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.

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.