Browsing by Author "Rajapakse, L.C."

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Awareness of clinical trial registration among healthcare professionals: An observational study.
(Wiley-Blackwell, 2018) Ranawaka, U.K.; de Abrew, A.; Wimalachandra, M.; Wanigatunge, C.A.; Rajapakse, L.C.; Goonaratna, C.
AIM: Prospective registration in a freely accessible public platform is a key step in the ethical conduct of clinical trials. Little is known of the awareness of clinical trial registration among the scientific community. This study aimed to assess awareness of clinical trial registration among participants attending a medical congress in Sri Lanka. METHODS: Knowledge of trial registration was assessed using a self-administered questionnaire, which spanned domains such as involvement in research, and knowledge and perceptions regarding trial registration. A knowledge score was calculated and correlated with demographic variables. RESULTS: Of 251 survey respondents, 53.4% were male, 74.9% were below the age of 40 years, and 56.6% were currently engaged in research. Registration was considered necessary for trial publication by 73.3%, and 70.5% agreed that trials should be registered prospectively. Most achieved a knowledge score of 'Acceptable' (41%) or 'Good' (19.9%). Mid- or advanced career stages, postgraduate training, current involvement in research, and recent research publications/presentations were correlated with higher knowledge scores (P < 0.05). Beneficial effects considered to be associated with trial registration were access to findings of all trials (61.4%), access to negative results (47.8%), preventing trial duplication (69.3%), and preventing multiple publications (70.1%). Increasing research workload (49.8%), additional restrictions on research conduct (52.2%), and the possibility of 'intellectual theft' (56.2%) were seen as potential negative effects. CONCLUSIONS: Most participants were aware of the need for prospective registration as a requirement for publication of clinical trials. Concerns were expressed regarding several perceived negative effects of trial registration.
The characteristics of people with diabetes mellitus in Kalutara District
(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2010) de Silva, A.P.; de Silva, S.H.P.; Rajapakse, L.C.; Jayasinghe, S.; Katulanda, P.; Wijeratne, C.N.; Wijeratne, S.
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Diabetes mellitus is on the rise. Although recent studies are available data on ethnic minorities and estate sector are scarce. Aim of this study was to describe selected socio demographic aspects of people with diabetes mellitus in Kalutara District. METHODS: A cross sectional descriptive study was done. One person randomly selected from 20 randomly selected households in each gramasevaka (GS) division. There were 65 random (GS) divisions from all divisional secretariat areas. The data were collected using a pre-tested standard questionnaire. Fasting blood sugar was done to detect diabetes mellitus. RESULTS: Among 1225 screened there were 205 (16.7%) diabetics. Approximately one third was newly detected. There were 107 (52.2%) females in the diabetic group. The highest proportion was observed in the 50-54 and 55-59 age groups (44, 21.5%) and the middle income group (93, 48.9%). Those who were educated from Grade 6 to 0/L contained most of the diabetic patients (75, 39.7%). The prevalence in the urban, rural and estate sectors were 25.5%, 15.5 and 9.2% respectively. The prevalence among Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims were 19.0%, 9.0% and 22.4% respectively. A gradient can be observed when prevalence was graphed according to the unsatisfactory basic needs index of the GS divisions. The highest proportion (23%) was observed in the richest GS Division. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is high in the Kautara District. A higher prevalence was observed in urban areas, among Muslims and in rich GS divisions.
Social determinants of obesity in Kalutara District
(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2014) de Silva, A.P.; de Silva, S.H.P.; Liyanage, I.K.; Rajapakse, L.C.; Jayasinghe, K.S.A.; Kotulanda, P.; Wijeyaratne, C.N.; Wijeratne, S.; Haniffa, R.
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: To describe social, cultural and economic determinants of obesity in a representative population in Kalutara METHODS: A cross sectional survey carried out among adults of 35 to 64 years. Applying a stratified random duster sampling method from urban, rural and plantation sectors, 1300 participants were selected. Data gathered using an interviewer administered questionnaire. The body mass index of 23.01 kg/m2-27.50kg/ m2 was considered as overweight and >27.51kg/m2 as obese. Waist circumference (WC) of >90cm and >80cm was regarded as high for men and women respectively. Significance of prevalence of diseases and risk factors across different socio-economic strata were determined by chi square test for trend. RESULTS: Of 1234 adults who were screened age and sex adjusted prevalence of overweight, obesity and abdominal obesity (high WC) were 33.2%, 14.3% and 33.6% respectively. The Muslim population had the highest prevalence of all three categories. Sector, education, income, social status quintiles and area level deprivation categories show-an inverse gradient in obesity categories, mean BM! and mean WC. The differences observed for mean BM! and mean WC between the lowest and .highest groups in these socioeconomic factors were significant. CONCLUSION: There is an inverse gradient of overweight, obese and centrally obese with higher prevalence observed in the more affluent, educated, urban and high income segments of society. In Sri Lanka those in the higher socio economic categories are still at a higher risk of being overweight, obese and having abdominal obesity.