Browsing by Author "Eranga, V.P."

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The Knowledge and attitude of primary school teachers in Sri Lanka towards childhood attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2011) Rodrigo, M.D.A.; Perera, D.; Eranga, V.P.; Williams, S.S.; Kuruppuarachchi, K.A.L.A.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge and attitudes towards attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among primary school teachers in the Gampaha District. METHODS: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in randomly selected schools of Gampaha district using a stratified sampling method. The knowledge and attitudes on ADHD were assessed by a self-administered questionnaire distributed among all the consenting primary school teachers in the selected schools. RESULTS: Total of 202 completed questionnaires of 210 distributed were returned. The majority showed good understanding about ill effects of ADHD, teachers' role in management and counterproductive effects of punishment. Three-fourths had a positive attitude towards behavioural therapy. However, only a minority had adequate knowledge about the presentation of ADHD and its treatment with medication. More than 80% of teachers believed that the parents were to be blamed for the child's ADHD. The majority of participating teachers also believed that behavioural disturbances caused by ADHD children were deliberate and malicious. Teachers who had training in child psychology recorded a significantly higher knowledge and had a more favourable attitude. CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge of ADHD and its treatment among primary school teachers needs to be improved. Particular focus should be on improving attitudes and disseminating the message that timely interventions can make a difference in the educational and social development of the child.
A naturalistic observational study of patients with bipolar affective disorder from two tertiary care hospitals in Sri Lanka
(Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists, 2017) Kandapola Arachchige, P.; Senevirathne, K.M.I.W.M.; Eranga, V.P.; Fernando, P.L.N.; Peris, M.U.P.K.; Kuruppuarachchi, K.A.L.A.; Williams, S.S.
INTRODUCTION : Bipolar affective disorder (BAD) is a lifelong condition with a variable course. The objective of this study was to conduct a naturalistic observation of the course of this disorder among patients attending two general hospital psychiatric clinics in Sri Lanka. METHODS: Adult patients with a diagnosis of BAD for more than 12 months were included in this cross sectional descriptive study. Those who were suffering from acute exacerbations, had schizoaffective disorder or alcohol or drug misuse were excluded. Data was collected from the patients, caregivers and clinic records using a pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire. Outcomes of interests were socio demographic characteristics, duration of the illness, number of relapses, treatment adherence, suicidality and level of functioning. RESULTS : Of the 350 patients studied, majority (55.7%) were females. Most (54.9%) had their first relapse within 2-5 years from onset of their illness. Of them 27.7% experienced their first relapse within one year. The first relapse occurred within 6-10 years of onset of illness in 8.9%, after 10 years in 6.3% and after 20 years in 2.3%. One third (33.4%) of patients had no second relapse. However, 38.3% relapsed for the second time within 2-5 years of diagnosing their illness. A minority (2.4%) had a second relapse within the first year and another minority (2.6%) after 20 years. The likelihood of a relapse for each patient per year was 0.644 in the first 5 years, 0.405 in the next 5-10 years, 0.38 in the next 10-15 years and 0.30 after 15 years. Conclusions : Despite the relapsing nature of BAD, predicting the course of the disorder in individual patients remains elusive. The trend was suggestive of fewer episodes over time, possibly mediated by better medication compliance and positive attitudes to treatment.
Road rage in Sri Lanka: prevalence and psychiatric distress
(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2015) Rodrigo, A.; Perera, D.; Eranga, V.P.; Peris, M.U.P.K.; Pathmeswaran, A.
INTRODUCTION: Road traffic accidents are a major public health concern in Sri Lanka. Aggressive and reckless driving is an important contributor to the high rate of road traffic accidents. OBJECTIVE: We studied prevalence, nature, determinants and associated psychiatric morbidity ofroad rage among motorists in Sri Lanka. Methods Data were gathered from 238 randomly selected motorists in Sri Lanka using a modified questionnaire regarding road rage and the 6-item version of Kessler's psychological distress scale. RESULTS: While 98.7% participants reported being victims of road rage, 85.3% were involved in offending behaviour. However actual physical assault (0.8%) and damage to vehicles (2.5%) were rare. Male gender, young age, increased traffic density and driving a three-wheeler or bus were associated with daily road rage victimisation and perpetration. Psychiatric distress was associated with being a victim of road rage. CONCLUSIONS: High prevalence of road rage in Sri Lanka and significant psychiatric distressassociated with it indicate the necessity of interventions at least for target groups