Assessment of Characteristics and Exposure to Vulnerable Factors for Drug use among Male Illicit Drug Users in Sri Lanka: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Illicit drug use has become a significant public health problem in Sri Lanka. This study was conducted to assess characteristics and exposure to vulnerable factors for drug use among institutionalized male drug users.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 431 institutionalized male drug users from five selected rehabilitation centers in Sri Lanka.

Mothers at risk of postpartum depression in Sri Lanka: A population-based study using a validated screening tool.

Background: Postpartum depression is an important public health concern. The prevalence of postpartum depression is estimated to be 18% worldwide. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of mothers at risk of postpartum depression in Sri Lanka and to investigate its associated risk factors.

Antenatal depression in Sri Lanka: a qualitative study of public health midwives' views and practices.

Background: Almost all pregnant people in Sri Lanka receive antenatal care by public health midwives. While there is strong infrastructure in Sri Lanka for postpartum mental health care, the current practices within antenatal mental health care have not been externally evaluated. The purpose of this study is to investigate the current clinical guidelines and experiences of how public health midwives diagnose and treat antenatal depression.

Predictors and occurrence of antenatal depressive symptoms in Galle, Sri Lanka: a mixed-methods cross-sectional study.

Background: There is a high prevalence of antenatal depression in low-or-middle-income countries, but information about risk factors in these settings is still lacking. The purpose of this study is to measure the prevalence of and explore risk factors associated with antenatal depressive symptoms in Galle, Sri Lanka.

Methods: This study used a mixed-method approach.

Knowledge, Perceptions, and Attitudes Regarding Antibiotic Use for Lower Respiratory Tract Infections: Insights from Patients in Sri Lanka.

Antibiotic resistance is an emerging global public health threat. One of the main drivers of this threat is the inappropriate use of antibiotics. In Sri Lanka, antibiotic consumption is increasing, but little is known locally about how patients perceive antibiotics.

Predictors of ambulance transport to first health facility among injured patients in southern Sri Lanka.

Background: Injuries account for about 13% of all registered deaths in Sri Lanka and are the leading cause of admission to public hospitals. Prehospital trauma care is new to Sri Lanka, and in 2016, a free ambulance service was launched in the Western and Southern provinces.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the proportion of admitted injury patients at a tertiary hospital who used an ambulance to get to the first health facility and examine patient demographics, injury event, and injury type as predictors of ambulance transport.

Prevalence and risk factors for postpartum depression in Sri Lanka: A population-based study.

Background: Previous studies in Sri Lanka have shown a high prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD). Postpartum depression screening using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) has been validated and included in routine postnatal care in 2012.

Objectives: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of PPD at 10 days and 4 weeks postpartum in 2017 in two medical officer of health (MOH) areas in Sri Lanka, and to assess the association between risk factors and postpartum depression.

Road traffic crashes and built environment analysis of crash hotspots based on local police data in Galle, Sri Lanka.

Road traffic crashes (RTCs) are a leading cause of death and disability. In low- and middle-income countries, vulnerable road users are commonly involved in injurious RTCs. This study describes epidemiological and built environment analysis (BEA) of in Galle, Sri Lanka.

Prevalence of occupational injury and its contributing factors among rubber tappers in Galle, Sri Lanka.

Background: Rubber tapping involves carrying heavy loads, navigating rough terrain, and using sharp tools. However, little is known about occupational injury among this vulnerable working population.

Objective: To assesses the prevalence, severity, and contributing factors associated with occupational injury among Sri Lankan rubber tappers and to identify possible interventions to improve occupational safety.

Health promotion in workplaces as a strategy for modification of risk factors for Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs): A practical example from Sri Lanka.

Background: Non communicable diseases (NCDs) are emerging as a major public health concern worldwide and became a leading cause of mortality in Sri Lanka accounting for 65% of deaths. Health promotion strategies aimed at lifestyle modification are helpful in modifying risk factors for NCDs.

Objectives: To transform a workplace to a health promotion setting where lifestyle changes in workers lead to a modification of risk factors for NCDs.

Prevalence and risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders among Sri Lankan rubber tappers.

Background: Rubber tapping exposes workers to risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

Objectives: This cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence and factors associated with MSDs among Sri Lankan rubber tappers.

Methods: Questionnaires were administered to 300 rubber tappers to measure MSDs and potential associated factors.

High road utilizers surveys compared to police data for road traffic crash hotspot localization in Rwanda and Sri Lanka.

Background: Road traffic crashes (RTCs) are a leading cause of death. In low and middle income countries (LMIC) data to conduct hotspot analyses and safety audits are usually incomplete, poor quality, and not computerized. Police data are often limited, but there are no alternative gold standards.

Occupational risk factors for low back pain among drivers of three-wheelers in Sri Lanka.

Background: Approximately 5% of all households in Sri Lanka operate a three-wheeler as their primary source of income. However, very little is known about the occupational health risks associated with driving these vehicles.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess occupational risk factors, including the number of hours worked associated with the 4-week prevalence of low back pain (LBP) among drivers of three-wheelers.

Health issues of female foreign domestic workers: a systematic review of the scientific and gray literature.

Background: Although the number of female foreign domestic workers (FDWs) is increasing worldwide, little is known about their health issues.

Objective: To systematically review the literature on health issues of female FDWs to ascertain the problems studied, identify limitations, and suggest future research and policy implications.

Methods: A systematic database (PubMed, EBSCO Host, and Google Scholar) and bibliographic search identified the English-language scientific and gray literature published during 1990-2012 addressing health issues of female FDWs living with the family of the employer, using qualitative and/or quantitative research methods.

The assistant medical officer in Sri Lanka: mid-level health worker in decline.

The history of Assistant Medical Officers (AMOs) in Sri Lanka can be traced back to the 1860s. Their training from the beginning followed an allopathic, 'evidence based' model. AMOs have played a key role in rural and peripheral health care, through staffing of government central dispensaries and maternity homes and may have contributed to Sri Lanka's favorable health outcomes.

Musculoskeletal symptoms among female garment factory workers in Sri Lanka.

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms and their association with sociodemographic risk factors among female garment factory workers in Sri Lanka.

Methods: 1058 randomly selected female garment factory workers employed in the free trade zone of Kogalla, Sri Lanka were recruited to complete two interviewer-administered questionnaires assessing musculoskeletal symptoms and health behaviors.

Discussion: Musculoskeletal complaints among female garment workers in the FTZ of Kogalla are less common than expected.

The relationship between body mass index across the life course and knee pain in adulthood: results from the 1958 birth cohort study.

Objectives: To determine whether a high BMI in childhood or early adulthood has a long-term influence on the likelihood of knee pain.

Methods: A birth cohort study of persons born during first week of 1958 in Great Britain. Participants were followed up throughout childhood and adulthood, most recently at 45 years, when information was collected on knee pain.

Evidence for the efficacy of complementary and alternative medicines in the management of rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review.

Objective: To critically evaluate the evidence regarding complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) taken orally or applied topically (excluding fish oil) in the treatment of RA.

Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of RA using CAMs, in comparison with other treatments or placebo, published in English up to August 2010, were eligible for inclusion. They were identified using systematic searches of bibliographic databases and manual searching of reference lists.

Evidence for the efficacy of complementary and alternative medicines in the management of osteoarthritis: a systematic review.

Objectives. To critically evaluate the evidence regarding complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) taken orally or applied topically (excluding glucosamine and chondroitin) in the treatment of OA. Methods.

Evidence for the efficacy of complementary and alternative medicines in the management of fibromyalgia: a systematic review.

Objective: To critically evaluate the evidence regarding complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) taken orally or applied topically for the treatment of FM.

Methods: Randomized controlled trials of FM using CAMs, in comparison with other treatments or placebo, published in English up to March 2009, were eligible for inclusion. They were identified using systematic searches of bibliographic databases and manual searching of reference lists.