Browsing by Author "Sriyani, K.A"

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Open Access
Awareness, Atti tudes, and Behavior toward Breast Cancer Screening Measures Among Female Teachers
(Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2024-12-04) Athukorala, A.D.M; Wijesinghe, W.A.S.M; Hatanarachchi, H.A.W.S; Wickramasinghe, P.C; De Silva, D.K.M; Sriyani, K.A
Breast cancer (BC), the most common cancer in women globally, signifi cantly impacts on health. Early detecti on through breast self-examinati on (BSE), clinical breast examinati on (CBE), and mammography is crucial for reducing mortality. This study examines awareness, atti tudes, and behavior toward BC screening among female schoolteachers in Giriulla Educati onal Zone, Sri Lanka. A descripti ve cross-secti onal study was conducted with 240 female teachers, aged 22-55, using convenience sampling. Data were collected through a self-administered questi onnaire and analyzed descripti vely. With a response rate of 93.7% (225 teachers), most parti cipants were aged 41-50 (38.2%), and 81.3% were married. About 45% held bachelor’s degrees. Awareness was notable: 53.1% knew about CBE, and 23.8% knew about mammography, but 65.5% were unaware of recommended examinati on start ages. Although 97.3% recognized the importance of screening, 68% hesitated toward BSE. Behavioral engagement varied, with 53.8% practi cing BSE monthly, but CBE and mammography were underuti lized (78.2% and 98.2%, respecti vely). The study highlights the need for enhanced awareness and educati on initi ati ves among female schoolteachers to address knowledge gaps and promote practi cal engagement in screening measures, crucial for early detecti on and reducing BC mortality rates.
Open Access
Knowledge and Its Associated Factors Related Venti lator Associated Pneumonia Among Intensive Care Nurses: Cross-secti onal Study in Southern Province of Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2024-12-04) Gunasekara, P.A.D. K; Gunawardhana, K.G.I.S; Akalanki, K.G.I; De Silva, P.H.R.V.I.S; Sriyani, K.A
This study aimed to assess knowledge and its associated factors on venti lator-associated pneumonia (VAP) among intensive care nurses. This descripti ve cross-secti onal study included 164 nurses who worked in intensive care units. Data were collected through a content-validated, pretested selfadministered questi onnaire. It included parti cipants’ socio-demographic informati on and knowledgeassessing questi ons. Descripti ve stati sti cs, the Mann–Whitney U-test, and the Kruskal–Wallis test were performed. Signifi cance was accepted at alpha < 0.05. The sample was female predominant and included more undergraduate and graduate nurses than diploma nurses. The overall knowledge of VAP among nurses ranged from 82.92 to 14.86, with 75% of them achieving a score above 80%. Nurses’ knowledge of VAP was associated with their age, professional qualifi cati ons, and experiences in nursing service and intensive care units (p < 0.05). Nurses had sati sfactory knowledge of VAP. However, gaps exist. Nurses’ knowledge is associated with their on-the-job training and professional qualifi cati ons.
Open Access
Knowledge Regarding Leptospirosis among Farmers in a Selected Medical Officer of Health Area in Ratnapura District, Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2024-12-04) Upasena, K.D.A.M; Kumara, U.M.S.S; Siriwardhana, K.A.S.M; Gunarathna, M.A.V.S; Sriyani, K.A
The impact of leptospirosis is huge since it causes high morbidity and mortality, while it remains a neglected disease due to a lack of knowledge and gaps in using preventive measures. The present study aimed to assess the knowledge regarding leptospirosis among paddy farmers in the Weligepola MOH area in Ratnapura district, Sri Lanka. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 344 paddy farmers from selected five Grama Niladari divisions in the Weligepola MOH area. A content-validated, interviewer-administered questionnaire to assess farmers’ knowledge and their characteristics. As revealed, almost all participants (99.1%) were ever heard about leptospirosis. Mean±SD overall knowledge of leptospirosis was 58.32±13.74, and only 52.6% of participants had good knowledge on leptospirosis while others did not. Though farmers are adequately aware of preventive methods and sources of infection, their knowledge regarding mode of transmission, reservoirs, initial symptoms, and the organs affected by leptospirosis has yet to be improved. Even though almost all the farmers had heard about Doxycycline (98.5%), only 65.9% of farmers used it. Study findings reveal some knowledge gaps. Therefore, the present study underscores the importance of implementing regular education programmes on leptospirosis among farmers in this community widely.