Browsing by Author "Kumari, M.I.P."

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    Perception knowledge and attitudes on use of banned substances in sports among junior athletes and coaches in Sri Lanka and development of a learning module to address them through the school curriculum
    (University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2021) Kumari, M.I.P.
    INTRODUCTION: Use of banned substances in sports to improve training and performance is an unethical practice. OBJECTIVE: To explore the perceptions and describe the knowledge and attitudes of. junior athletes and coaches on the use of banned substances in sports and to develop a learning module for students of Grades 9 and 10 to address gaps in knowledge and attitudes regarding the use of banned substances in sports. METHODS: This study comprises a qualitative study, a descriptive cross-sectional study, -and the development of an outcome based learning module. Junior athletes and ' coaches of ten sports representing the three best performing schools in each sport participated. Qualitative data were collected from twenty athletes and ten coaches using interviews and thematically analysed using NVivo (version12). In the cross- - sectional study, data were collected from 552 athletes and 30 coaches using a pretested self-administered questionnaire and analysed using SPSS Version 21 and presented using frequency distributions. All data were collected after informed written consent of the participants and parents when the participants were under-age. The findings were presented to a panel of experts in sports science, public health and education. Based on expert opinion and theories of outcome based education, a learning module was developed and was reviewed by an independent panel of educational and sports science experts and improved before finalization. RESULTS: Most of the athletes and coaches perceive that they have limited knowledge of banned substances in sports which should be improved. They perceive that the use of banned substances in sports is unacceptable. Only 79% of athletes have heard the term ‘doping’ Athletes engaged in athletics, weightlifting, rugby and badminton have a better level of knowledge. Only 56.7% of coaches report that they regularly update their knowledge. Coaches and athletes identified the school curriculum as the most effective mode to impart knowledge on this topic, followed by digital and print media. The newly developed learning module incorporates traditional and modern pedagogy to deliver content and use assessment methods aligned to learning outcomes. DISCUSSION: There is a clear need to educate school children and coaches about banned substances in sports. School curriculum is recognized as the most effective mode of delivery. The learning module delivered in grades 9 and 10 will be helpful to bridge the current gap in knowledge and attitudes.
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    Promotion of tobacco and alcohol on social media: a mixed methods analysis
    (Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2021) Athauda, L.K.; Jayawardhane, R.; Chandrasekara, B.E.; Kumari, M.I.P.; Perera, K.M.N.; Rajasuriya, M.
    Introduction and Objectives Promotion of tobacco and alcohol on the internet is banned in Sri Lanka by the NATA Act. However, it appears that tobacco and alcohol related content are rampant on various social media. This study aimed to describe the portrayal of tobacco and alcohol on Facebook and YouTube in 2019 and 2020. Methods YouTube Videos and Facebook posts were analysed by two independent researchers using a pre-defined data extraction sheet. One-minute interval method was used to analyse content regarding actual or implied use, paraphernalia, brand names, dialogue or text. A 16 member- panel provided qualitative interpretations of selected posts and videos. Results A total of 24 YouTube videos and 240 Facebook posts were studied within 2019 and 2020. On YouTube, within 39 oneminute intervals 69 tobacco scenes were reported while 166 alcohol scenes were reported within 87 one-minute intervals for both years. Within the 240 Facebook posts, tobacco content appeared 252 times and alcohol content appeared 204 times. Majority of tobacco content was actual or implied use while the majority of alcohol content focused on brand names or paraphernalia. The messages delivered on both platforms were interpreted as tobacco and alcohol being fun, normal, sophisticated and a part of modern lifestyle. Conclusion This study finds that social media is used as a vehicle to promote tobacco and alcohol among its users. Frequent and positive portrayal leads to creating norms. Such portrayal is not only a violation of the current legal restrictions, but also creates a harmful environment for young people who engage with social media.