Comparing the use of direct observation, standardized patients and exit interviews in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review of methods of assessing quality of primary care.

Clinical records in primary healthcare settings in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) are often lacking or of too poor quality to accurately assess what happens during the patient consultation. We examined the most common methods for assessing healthcare workers' clinical behaviour: direct observation, standardized patients and patient/healthcare worker exit interview. The comparative feasibility, acceptability, reliability, validity and practicalities of using these methods in this setting are unclear.

Prediction of colorectal cancer risk among adults in a lower middle-income country.

Background: Globally, colorectal cancer (CRC) is ranked as the third most common cancer in men and the second in women. Use of a simple, validated risk prediction tool will offer a low-cost mechanism to identify the high-risk individuals for CRC. This will increase efficient use of limited resources and early identification of patients.

Sri Lankan clinical practice guidelines: A methodological quality assessment utilizing the AGREE II instrument.

Rationale, Aims, And Objectives: Clinical practice guidelines (CPG) play a major role in patient care in Sri Lanka. This study evaluates the methodological quality of the Sri Lankan CPGs developed in 2007.

Methods: A total of 94 CPGs developed by several professional colleges in Sri Lanka in the year 2007 were evaluated by 2 independent reviewers using AGREE II instrument for their methodological quality.

"Appropriateness of colonoscopy according to EPAGE II in a low resource setting: a cross sectional study from Sri Lanka".

Background: Due to finite resources, the clinical decision to subject a patient to colonoscopy needs to be based on the evidence, regardless of its availability, affordability and safety. This study assessed the appropriateness of colonoscopies conducted in selected study settings in Sri Lanka. In the absence of local guidelines, audit was based on European Panel on Appropriateness of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy II (EPAGE II) criteria.

Knowledge and self-reported practices regarding leptospirosis among adolescent school children in a highly endemic rural area in Sri Lanka.

Introduction: Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease, which has become a major public health threat in Sri Lanka. A majority of patients are farmers in rural endemic areas. The purpose of the present study is to describe the level of knowledge and frequencies of risky practices related to leptospirosis among a sample of rural school adolescents in Galgamuwa, Kurunegala district, a highly endemic area in Sri Lanka.