Browsing by Author "Subasinghe, U."

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Assessment of Possible Risk Factors Affecting Transmission of Dengue in the District of Gampaha Based on Reported Dengue Cases
(International Postgraduate Research Conference 2019, Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2019) Perera, E.H.L.; Viswakula, S.; Gunawardene, Y.I.N.S.; Subasinghe, U.; Hapugoda, M.D.
Dengue is a fast spreading arboviral infection transmitted by the bite of infected females of Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) and Ae. albopictus (Skuse). According to the Epidemiology Unit, the second highest number of dengue cases is reported in the District of Gampaha, Sri Lanka over past ten years. Objective of this study was to investigate the entomological and socio-economic risk factors affecting transmission of dengue in laboratory-confirmed dengue case reported stations in the District of Gampaha. Laboratory confirmed positive dengue patients (n=100) by dengue NS1 antigen test during the period of June, 2018-August, 2019 were selected. Entomological surveillance was conducted by visiting to each patient within one week of notification of a positive case. For the collection of socio-economic data, an interviewer-administrated questionnaire was used. Adult Aedes mosquito samples collected using a back-pack aspirator showed, 98.64% (73/74) of Ae. albopictus and 1.35% (1/74) of Ae. aegypti mosquitoes. Larval collection using standard larval surveillance techniques showed 92.96% (185/199) and 7.04% (14/199) of Ae. albopictus and Ae.aegypti larvae respectively. The highest House Index (55.17%-16/29), Container Index (28.89%-13/45) and Breteau Index (44.83%-13/29) were reported in the month of June, 2019. The major Aedes breeding place was identified as plastic buckets/barrels (48.6%-84/173) that being used to discard waste. Piped borne water (88%-88/100) was the major water source of the house-holds. Water source of tube well (9%-9/100) was the next popular water source and 66.67%(6/9) of tube wells were positive breeding places for Aedes larvae. Average homestead of the premises of dengue patients was 16.14 perches. From the 100 dengue cases, 67 cases were from middle of town areas, while 2 were from rural areas. Vegetation coverage of the 78% (78/100) house-holds were grass, bushes and small trees and 3% (3/100) house-holds didn’t have any vegetation coverage. The major mosquito prevention method was usage of mosquito nets (54%-54/100) and among dengue patients 7% (7/100) of dengue patients weren’t using any mosquito prevention method. High density of Ae. albopictus mosquitoes, was reported although Ae. aegypti is the major vector of dengue. Therefore, it is required to draw more attention about the Ae. albopictus breeding sites in dengue control programmes. Participants from the study sites were well aware about the disease but still there is a lack of knowledge on breeding sites and vector control methods. Drawbacks in the waste disposal methods, lack of cleanliness in gardens, unplanned water sources and neglecting preventive actions could be considered as the possible risk factors.
Assessment of the distribution of Aedes breeding sites at the households of district of Gampaha
(Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2022) Perera, E. H. L.; Hapugoda, M. D.; Viswakula, S.; Gunawardene, Y. I. N. S.; Subasinghe, U.; Fernando, L.; Manamperi, A.
Dengue is the most important mosquito-borne viral infection in Sri Lanka at present. Integrated Vector Management (IVM) targeting dengue vector mosquitoes has become the main disease control measure. The objective of this study was to assess the distribution of the Aedes breeding habitats in dengue high and low risk areas in the District of Gampaha where the second highest incidence of dengue reported during last 10 years. Negombo Medical Officer of Health (MOH) area was selected based high incidence of dengue cases reported in the District of Gampaha during last 10 years. A dengue high risk (Kurana East) and low risk (Udayarthoppuwa) Grama Niladhari (GN) divisions with similar geographical situation in the same MOH area were selected as study and control areas respectively. Standard larval surveillance was conducted randomly selected 150 houses in each site for 18 months (April, 2018-October, 2019). In the dengue high risk and low risk areas, the proportions of the larvae of Aedes species to the total larval collection were 34.19% (185/541) and 21.68% (147/678) respectively. High densities of Ae. albopictus larvae were reported in both high [171/185=92.4%)] and low [141/147=95.92%) risk areas. Ae. aegypti was present in low abundance in both areas [High risk-7.56% (14/185) and Low risk- 2.72% (4/147)]. In the high-risk site, breeding sites of the Ae. albopictus larvae were reported as plastic buckets/barrels (55.19 %-154/279), waste plastics (35.15%-98/279), metal tins (3.94%-11/279) and tube wells (2.86%-8/279). In low-risk area, the majority of breeding sites for Ae. albopictus larvae was found in coconut shells (76.14%- 201/264) and plastic waste (21.96%-51/264). In both areas, Ae. aegypti larvae was found in plastic buckets/barrels only. There is a significance difference between the Ae. albopictus breeding places in the dengue high and low risk areas (P=0.024). Although Ae. aegypti is considered as the major vector of dengue, Ae. albopictus was reported as the prominent dengue vector species in the high dengue risk area in the District of Gampaha. Even though, municipal council removes solid waste weekly, a large number of breeding sites are available at both areas. As there is a significant difference between Ae. albopictus breeding sites at the dengue high and low risk areas, it is essential to specifically focus on removal of breeding sites for successful vector control measure.
The Impact of Social Media Marketing on Purchase Intention of Connected Consumers: A Study Based on Natural Ingredient-Based Personal Care Products
(Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2020) Subasinghe, U.; Weerasiri, R. A. S.
Personal Care has become a daily ritual for most individual’s world-over. With this widespread flair towards personal grooming, the search for natural remedies and natural ingredient-based products for personal care has also grown due to the health-conscious nature of most consumers. Within this context, the purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of social media marketing on the purchase intention of connected consumers towards natural ingredient based personal care products. Furthermore, ‘Perceived Trust’ is positioned as a mediator within the context of this study to enhance the understanding of whether perceived trust contributes to mediate the relationship between ‘Social Media Marketing’ and ‘Purchase Intention’. The 469 responses collected from Colombo and Gampaha districts using a structured questionnaire were analysed using SPSS to conclude that social media marketing directly has a significant positive impact on purchase intention while perceived trust mediates the relationship between ‘Social Media Marketing’ and ‘Purchase Intention’. The researcher was also able to confirm the significant positive impact of social media marketing on perceived trust as well as the significant positive impact of perceived trust on purchase intention and that social media marketing has a greater impact on the purchase intention than it does on the perceived trust.