Browsing by Author "Subasinghe, Wasantha"

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A sociological study on Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients in the North Central province, Sri Lanka (with special reference to the Padawiya area)
(Culture, Globalization and the Developing World, 2nd ICSS, 2013) Subasinghe, Wasantha
Chronic kidney disease is a worldwide public health problem. It is also known as chronic renal disease or chronic renal failure, which is a degenerative, progressive condition marked by the gradual loss of kidney function. The experience is traumatic not only for the patients but also for their families who are frequently unable to provide the medical services needed due to the high cost of treatment. Optimally, CKD is treated with dialysis or kidney transplant. A chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology has emerged as a major health care problem in the North - Central Province of Sri Lanka during the last few decades. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of kidney disease and to identify the responsibility of the government and other authorities regarding solving this burning issue. The research problem is the Socio - economic impact of CKD in North central province. A survey was conducted to identify the research problem and data was collected using questionnaires, key informant interviews and focus group interviews. The research area was Padawiya in the Padawiya Divisional Secretariat. In developed countries, the most common symptoms of CKD are obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes. But in Sri Lankan context there is a significantly high rate of kidney patients in the North Central province. A number of research has been conducted to identify the causes and effects of the disease. Different researchers have identified different causes including insecticides, fluoride water, poisons, arsenic, dehydration, drugs, smoking, hard metals etc. Research findings including spreading rate, sex ratio, geographical and environmental relations, food patterns, livelihood patterns, water resources have created new avenues for scholarly discussion on these issues.
A Sociological Study on Slum Dwellers
(2nd International Research Symposium, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Rajarata, University, Sri Lanka, 2014) Subasinghe, Wasantha
Slums punctuate almost every city of the world. This has become a universal phenomenon accompanying with urban growth. Sri Lankan experience on slums is discussable and it is one of current topics of national policy planners. The ratio of slums will increase day by day with chronic problems. some sort of social trends have been occurred in urban areas such as economic activities, demographics, physical access and environmental risks. On the other hand it can be seen by the way of crimes, prostitution, odd jobs, attitudes etc. This situation can be seen in not only in Colombo but in Kandy, Galle, Kalutara as well as Jaffna in Sri Lanka. And the urban poverty is not a natural dilemma. It is a one of results of activities those who have done in last two three decades. In addition the policy makers didn?t or couldn?t put their keen attention on the town plan, which was well planned. As results of this situation slums and shanties have been created. Poverty has been created. Culture of poverty has been created.
A study on poverty and women unemployment
(Department of Sociology, University of Kelaniya) Subasinghe, Wasantha; Sumedha, Kumudu
Background This paper explores one of the key issues in current research on gender and development: the links between poverty and women's employment and underemployment. The nation?s economic crisis has deeply affected the lives of thousands of Sri Lankans. Unemployment has pulled the rug out from under many families, particularly those living in low-income communities. Deepening poverty is inextricably linked with rising levels of homelessness and food insecurity/hunger. Poverty can be considered as a central socio and economic problem. The women ratio is highly vital factor in concerning of current population statistics including women households, education level, and women workforce. The purpose of the study is looking the women unemployment and makes proposals to uplift the women?s contribution to the national economy. Objectives: To identify male vs. female unemployment, what extent is a woman's household economic status, which programs are most suitable for women for livelihood. Research question: What is the co-relation between poverty and women?s unemployment? Methodology: Survey method has been done for collecting primary data through structured questionnaires. FGDs and KII has done. Findings: The first phase of the project involves screening overall studies have shown very different effects of poverty, for different types of poverty: from income inequalities, to social exclusion and unemployment. The final phase involves the analysis provides strong evidence for a co-relation between household economic status and women's current employment status. This is true for the entire sample and for the married and unmarried women. The interplay of economic factors (in terms of household needs and aspirations) and cultural factors (in terms of women's position in the family as unmarried daughters as opposed to wives or daughters-in-law) as determinants of women's employment is important both on the supply side of the labour market and women's ability to obtain employment in an imperfect and almost saturated labour market in the context of Sri Lanka.
The contribution of school counselors and its barriers
(2016) Subasinghe, Wasantha
There are 9905 government schools in Sri Lanka in 2012. There are 4000000 students studying under these schools. Schooling is compulsory for children from 5 to 13 years of age. Education is state funded and offered free of charge at all levels, including the university level. School education of Sri Lanka has become very competitive from grade one to Advanced Level. There are three benchmark examinations as grade 5 scholarship examination, GCE O/L examination and GCE A/L examination. School counseling is an integral part of the education system in many countries. School counselors help to make learning a positive experience for every student. They are sensitive to individual differences. Counselors facilitate communication among teachers, parents, administrators, and students to adapt the school's environment in the best interests of each individual student. School counselors tend to have more direct involvement with more children; there is a great need to explore the factors that affect career path of students to guide them towards a better future through the success in education. Research problem: What is the main role of school counselors in Sri Lanka schools?? Research questions: 1. What is the role of student counselor? 2. What are the perceived barriers to facilitators for an effective service? Objectives: The main purpose is to identify the way of school counselor’s contribution to the students’ efficiency in their mental inconvenience to their education. Theoretical perspective: I focused on symbolic interactionism perspective to understand this complex situation and Sigmund Freud's iceberg theory model to identify the mind. Research methods: The survey method and case study method have been used as research methods. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and semi structured interviews. Sample: There are three samples in the research as school counselors, teachers and students. In here, I have interviewed three school counselors, 30 teachers in boy’s school, girl’s school and mixed school in Gampaha district. Results and Discussion: There are no proper school counselors. They all are teachers and they do this job as extra responsibility. No extra earning. No proper physical place in the school. No proper training and guidelines. Lack of awareness programs. Low student enrollment. Lack of trust on counseling are the main issues relevant to school counseling programmes. Preparation of proper school counseling program is essential.
Gypsy Culture and Society in the Changing World: A Sociological Analysis
(University of Kelaniya, 2005) Subasinghe, Wasantha
Gypsies are a small primitive as well as a nomadic tribe who are struggling to face the changing world. They spread over the whole world, especially in Eastern Europe, where they are known as Romanies. In Sri Lanka gypsies are called “Ahikuntika” or “Kuthadi”. They live mostly in the North Central and the Eastern provinces. Special behavioural patterns and customs can be seen in their lives. Although they still depend on their endemic occupations, permanent settlements have also been used by this group. However, they have to encounter a lot of difficulties as a result of social change. The objective of this research is to identity the obstacles, challengers encountered by the gypsies in Sri Lanka. The location of research is Kudagama, a small village in Ikiriwewa Grama Niladari Division of Thammbuttegama Divisional Secretariat in the Anuradhapura district. The methodology of this study is comprised with two vital research methods: they are comparative method and life historical method. Interviews and observations are used as tools of data collection. This is an in-depth study on gypsies which examined economic, social, political and cultural aspects. It could be concluded that their traditional life style has changed, and also their activities and other customs are mixed up with those of the Sinhala community. In addition, they have confronted several problems as parents, youth and children. That includes, illiteracy, lack of health environment, alcoholism, lack of parental care, cultural alienation, child abuse by their parents, lack of job opportunities etc. Although they are willing to have access to the modern world they confront-various difficulties in adapting themselves to new social order. Finally, we can state that the Gypsies are confronting many challenges in this new world order and as a result of these challenges their traditional culture and society have undergone several changers today.
Impact of new housing scheme of estate workers on their improvement of livelihood (A comparative study of two settlements)
(Department of Sociology, University of Kelaniya) Kumudu Sumedha; Subasinghe, Wasantha
Due to the labour shortage for plantation works the British administration had to depend on Indian labour force. After bringing them to Sri Lankan estates, they have given ?line rooms? with poor facilities. Those plantation Tamils have been living as a segregated community in the plantation areas today even. But, after the independent governments concerned more on the improvement of the estate workers livelihood. As a result of that the Plantation Human Development Trust and the National Housing Development Authority played a key role in introducing new housing schemes for estate people. Therefore, this study has focused on two selected housing settlements in estate Poyston and estate Carolina in Ambagamuwa divisional secretariat division, Nuwara Eliya district, Sri Lanka. The main objective of the study was to identify the impact of the new housing settlements which were carried out by the government in the plantation sector as an alternative to the contemporary line rooms. This study has taken two research strategies namely, Survey Method and Comparative Method. Key informants? Interviews, Focused Group Discussions (FGDs), and observation also conducted. A significant change in the workers livelihood can be identified in both settlements. But it depends on the type of the house and the facilities it included.
Language as a one of Vital Root Causes of the Ethnic Conflict in Sri Lanka
(University of Kelaniya, 2015) Subasinghe, Wasantha
The ethnic conflict within last three decades can be considered as a conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). It is a conflict between majority; Sinhalese and minority; Tamils. More commonly it was known as the Tamil Tigers, the LTTE wants an independent state for the island’s Tamil minority.It made path to conduct a huge civil war. The civil war has killed nearly seventy thousand people with various kinds of crimes and vulnerabilities. It was defeated in 2009 as a war. Majority Sinhalese speak Sinhala language and Tamils speak Tamil language for their day-to-day life. . Tamils specially live in Northern Province before few decades. But now they spread all over the country. The passage of the Sinhala-Only Act of 1956 was introduced and it was a turning point and a key event in Sinhalese-Tamil relations. It made various causes and consequences.Sinhala and Tamil are the two official languages of Sri Lanka now. English is considering as international language and the second language. It is spoken by approximately 10% of the population including Burgers and elite groups and upper middle class people. On the other hand it is widely used for education, scientific and commercial purposes. The research problem is whether the language is a vital root cause of the ethnic conflict. “What are the main roots of ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka?”, “What is the modern history of the ethnic conflict between Tamil people and Sinhalese?” and “What are the possible solutions to overcome language gap between these two ethnic groups?” are the research questions. Objectives: To identify the main roots of ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka and research currents solutions and its necessary changes. Methodology: The researcher has done a basic research; it is considered as a first stage of a descriptive analysis of an ethnic problem in Sri Lanka. In this first stage the researcher has done it using literature revive. These secondary data contained including government census data and previous research reports.There are internal and external sources in this issue. Especially south Indian support to Tamils and now a days it has European interference to conduct ethnic conflict too. There are main factors to arisen this as ethnic politics, education rights, language, land and other factors including employment. This ethnic problem has there dimensions as political view, international interference and armed intervention.There should be a balanced addressing for all elements including political, economic, social and cultural rights; when consider making ethnic relations in the country.
Rehabilitation and aftercare of drug related women prisoners in Sri Lanka
(Culture, Globalization and the Developing World, 2nd ICSS, 2013) Subasinghe, Wasantha; Kumudu Sumedha
Many people grasping to drugs faced difficulty to detach themselves from the spell of drugs. Therefore, the number of drug related prisoners are increasing. This group has defined ?drug-related prisoners? as prisoners who are in custody for drug related offenses. The ratio of drug offenders in prison is relatively high. Moreover, there is an increasing number of female drug related prisoners. Therefore, this study is basically focused on female drug-related prisoners in Welikada and Kaluthara prisons. These drug-dependents have a high tendency of recidivism. The one of basic criticisms was that prisons do not take sufficient actions to reduce recidivism. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to review the rehabilitation and aftercare needs of this group and to propose an agenda to strengthen countermeasures available in prisons to reduce recidivism. This study has both qualitative and quantitative approach. Survey method and case study method were used to collect primary data. In addition, key informant interviews with several officers has been conducted. The survey sample consisted of 50 female drug-related prisoners and 10 case studies. Findings indicate that the imprisoned women are confronted with numerous severe and wide ranging problems. Moreover, recidivism ratio also high among them. It can be described through the process of imprisonment from arrest to release. Therefore the rehabilitation process is the most important factor in this regard. The rehabilitation programs in the prisons are inadequate and outdated. New rehabilitation process needs to be implemented to help drug-related female prisoners reintegrate into the society.
Sexual Child Abuse in Sri Lanka; A Comparative Factor Identification on Child and Child Abuse Perpetrators’ Social Background
(National Institute of Social Development, 2024-09) Subasinghe, Wasantha
According to the NCPA Report, there were 9673 in 2023 reported child abuse cases. The objective of this paper is to discuss the biopsychosocial consequences of child abuse and suggest the basic components of social support network programs to mitigate child abuse in Sri Lanka. This research is a comparative, descriptive study of child abuse in Sri Lanka. The study focused on analyzing related background factors of both sides of child and child abuse perpetrators. The research problem was to explore the risk factors and root factors that influence child abuse from both sides’ children and the perpetrators. The research was conducted with secondary and primary data. Background factors related to the abused child were revealed through randomly selected scholarly research articles. Perpetrators’ background was analyzed with primary data which was collected from semi-structured interviews of ten cases convicted for child abuse in the prison. The social background of child abuse is highly related to reasons such as lower educational levels of both child and the parents, low awareness of sexuality and child rights related to sexual and other types of abuse, insecurity family situation with poverty, drunken fathers, parents’ marriage mismatches and casual marriage relationships, and cultural acceptances and customs. Biopsychosocial symptoms of sexual child abuse can be identified from rape to death with kissing, touching of genital areas and organs, oral sex, showing and taking pictures of sexual images, and habitual sexual intercourse at home with close relatives. Most common child abuse perpetrators are biological fathers, stepfathers, school teachers, close relatives such as sisters’ husbands or uncles, father’s friends or close Nabors. Most perpetrators had negative childhood experiences, low education levels, low parental care, illicit drug use, and excessive sexual desire. Social support networks for mitigating child abuse should be focused on addressing risk factors including family, child, youth, and reputation of all groups and interference of government and volunteer agencies.
A Social Aspect of Policy Implementation Challenges on Elders’ Social Protection
(National Institute of Social Development, 2024-09) Subasinghe, Wasantha
Aging is an universal phenomena which present significant implications and challenges for various challenge of them. Enabling the policy practice is the macro-level intervention strategy to ensure the social protection of elders. The effectiveness of these policies is deeply rooted in the socio economic and cultural context of given society. This study aim was to examine the challenges on the implementation of social policies for the elders in Sri Lanka focusing with Asian experiences. The research problem and the research question were ‘What kind of policy practices are implementing for the sake of social protection of elders in their country? And What are the prevailing policy implementation gaps on social protection of the elders? This paper focused on desk research approach with systematic review. The randomly selected two research studies done based on Pakistan and Nepal in related to the policy implementation on elder’s social protection. Both countries face the challenge of political instability affecting policy continuity and effectiveness. Nepal has a constitutionally mandated framework but struggles with practical implementation, while Pakistan's policies are influenced by religious traditions but lack modern comprehensive approaches. Both countries require significant improvements in governmental and administrative capacities. Nepal's challenges include bureaucratic inefficiencies and lack of trained personnel, while Pakistan needs to enhance its administrative capabilities to better implement and sustain programs. Economic vulnerability is a major challenge in both countries. Nepal faces financial constraints and infrastructure deficits, while Pakistan's elderly population struggles with severe economic insecurity. Both nations need sustainable funding solutions and improved service delivery mechanisms. Both countries have historical and cultural influences shaping their social protection policies. Nepal needs to better integrate modern applications with its cultural contexts, while Pakistan should combine religious principles with contemporary social protection frameworks for greater efficacy. The study concludes with recommending the enhancement of prevailing policies, administrative capacities, improving community engagement and long-term sustainability for optimizing the output in both countries to ensure social justice for the elders by empowering the social protection mechanism.
Social development and women empowerment in urban slum
(University of Kelaniya, 2008) Subasinghe, Wasantha
Social factors of suicides in Sri Lanka
(Department of Library and Information Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2023) Subasinghe, Wasantha
Suicide is becoming an immense social problem from end of 19th century. Both quantitative and qualitative researches are important to understand the issue. Research findings help to select suicide preventing programs. Eight hundred thousand suicides were reported in 2019 worldwide. Statistics reported that it is nearly about three thousand suicides per year in Sri Lanka. The unexpected/miserable loss of a family member affects directly or indirectly not only to the family but also to the society. The research problem is ‘how does lack of social morals affect to suicides in Sri Lanka? There are four objectives of this research as to reveal social life of person who attempted to suicide, to examine social interrelationships of them, to realize their personal traits, challenges, and barriers, and to recognize preventing techniques. The ontological approach of this research is subjectivism and epistemological approach is interpretivism. The research type is descriptive, cross sectional and qualitative. Underpinning theory is Collective Consciences and Moral Poverty Index which was introduced by Durkheim. Research method is case study method and data collecting techniques are in-depth interviews. Sample consists of persons who have attempted to commit suicide. Theoretical and conceptual review was done. The study looks at the main socio-demographic factors such as ethnicity, age, gender, civil status, educational level and causes about suicides from 2016-2019 based on police crime statistics as first part of the study. Literature revealed the background identification on sociodemographic information such as; maximum number of suicides was from Sinhalese Buddhists, minimum number of suicides was reported from Muslims and Islamic people; Age between 21-25 and age over 70 can be considered as the age ranges with the highest number of people who committed suicides; Suicide rate of married persons was higher than unmarried; The female students’ suicides were higher than male but in all other occupations male suicides were higher than female; Most of the persons who had committed suicide had educated up to secondary education; Most common reasons for suicides were harassments in family, disappointments and harassment, economic issues, psychological disorders and chronic diseases; Unemployed persons had committed suicide more than the employed people; Second highest category who had committed suicide was the agricultural sector and the category with the lowest number of people who had committed suicide was politicians. The main finding of this demographic data is that 90% of the factors that affect suicide are social factors. The integration between the individual and society has diminished, and society has become indifferent to the needs of the individual.
Socio - Economic Consequences of CKD Families in North Central Province (With special Reference to Padawiya Area)
(15th Annual Research Symposium, faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2014) Subasinghe, Wasantha
The concept of kidney disease is based on the presence of albuminuria and/or impaired renal function that lasts for more than three months. Kidney disease is associated with an increased total mortality and cardiovascular morbimortality in the general population. Chronic kidney disease is a one of worldwide public health problems. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), also known as chronic renal disease or chronic renal failure, is a degenerative, progressive condition marked by the gradual loss of kidney function. The experience is traumatic not only for the patients but also for their families who are frequently unable to provide the medical services needed due to the high cost of treatment. Optimally, CKD are treated with dialysis or kidney transplant. Chonic kidney disease of unknown etiology has emerged as a major health care problem in the North - Central of Sri Lanka during the last few decades. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of kidney disease and the identifying the responsibity of the government other authorities regarding solving this burning issue. Research problem is ?Socio - Economic effects of CKD patients? families in North central province?" Survey was conducted to identify the research problem and data was collected using questionnaires, Key Informant interviews and focus group interviews. Research area was Padawiya in Padawiya Divisional secretariat. Sample was selected as a random sample of patients with CKD in Padawiya. Following out comes were considered. As in developed countries, the most common symptoms of CKD are obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes. There is a significant high rate of kidney patients in north central province in Sri Lankan context. Many researches were conducted to identify the causes and effects of the disease. Deferent researches have identified different causes including insecticides, fluoride water, poisons, arsenic, dehydration, drugs, smoking, affect from hard metals. Relevant to the research findings including spreading rate, sex ratio, geographical and environmental relations, food patterns, livelihood patterns, water resources are make a path to open a new discussion on these issues. The variables associated with the socio economic barriers relevant to family are more crucial. One-third of the sample population in this study has CKD patient. It makes very big problems their livelihood.
Sociological Analysis on Prisoners; with special reference to prisoners of Death Penalty and Life Imprisonment in Sri Lanka
(2016) Subasinghe, Wasantha
Capital punishment is legal in Sri Lanka as many other countries as India, Japan, Bangladesh, Iran and Iraq so on. When compared unconvicted prisoners from 2006-2010 there is an increase. It was 89190 in 2006 and it was 100191 in 2010. There were 28732 of convicted prisoners and it was 32128 in 2010. There were 165 Death sentences in 2006 and it was 96 in 2010. There are 540 individuals had been sentenced to death. The death penalty has not been implemented in Sri Lanka since 1976.Research problem: What are the main causes for getting capital punishment and life imprisonment? What are the feelings of prisoners as waiting for death?’ Objectives of the study were identifying prisoners’ point of view on their punishment and root causes for their offence.This was a basic research. Case studies were conducted to identify the research problem and data were collected using formal interviews. Research area was Welikada prison. Stratified sampling method in probability samplings was used. Sample size was 20 cases from death penalty and life in prison prisoners and 20 from other convicted prisoners. There were organized crimes and instantaneous crimes against human and property. Findings revealed causes and feelings them as offenders. Death penalty and life imprisonment were been punished especially for drug selling and murders. The end of life imprisonment decided by nature; but the date of death penalty will be decided by the president of the state. Still there is no decision on implementing the death penalty in Sri Lanka. These both categories of prisoners need if implementing death penalty or freedom. Some of them need to convert death sentence to life imprisonment. They are physically and mentally damaged after their imprisonment. Lack of hope and as well as lack of welfare and rehabilitation programs they suffered their lives in the prison.
A SOCIOLOGICAL STUDY ON CHILD ABUSE IN SRI LANKA
(2015) Subasinghe, Wasantha; Sumedha, K.
Children and women are the most vulnerable group of the human species. According to the definition of the United Nation’s Convention on Rights, a child is a human being below the age of 18 years unless under the law applicable to the child. Due to the immaturity and innocent nature they can be persuaded to take part in immoral activities and many such instances they are forced or cheated mostly by persons known or close to the family. Most incidents are reported from remote villages and disturbed families. There are physical and mental harassments against children. The recruitment of children as child soldiers, Child sex tourism, malnutrition, rape and murders are mostly occurring among them. In 1999, the National Child Protection Authority was established to address child abuse in Sri Lanka. The Authority is made up of local monitoring and child protection committees. However, child abuse in Sri Lanka is still remains.
The Sociological Value of Semiotics
(University of Kelaniya, 2012) Subasinghe, Wasantha
Tiam1/Rac1 signaling pathway mediates palmitate-induced, ceramide-sensitive generation of superoxides and lipid peroxides and the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential in pancreatic β-cells
(Elsevier, 2010) Syed, I.; Jayaram, B.; Subasinghe, Wasantha; Kowluru, A.
The phagocytic NADPH oxidase [NOX] has been implicated in the generation of superoxides in the pancreatic beta-cell. Herein, using normal rat islets and clonal INS 832/13 cells, we tested the hypothesis that activation of the small G-protein Rac1, which is a member of the NOX holoenzyme, is necessary for palmitate [PA]-induced generation of superoxides in pancreatic beta-cells. Incubation of isolated beta-cells with PA potently increased the NOX activity culminating in a significant increase in the generation of superoxides and lipid peroxides in these cells; such effects of PA were attenuated by diphenyleneiodonium [DPI], a known inhibitor of NOX. In addition, PA caused a transient, but significant activation [i.e., GTP-bound form] of Rac1 in these cells. NSC23766, a selective inhibitor of Rac1, but not Cdc42 or Rho activation, inhibited Rac1 activation and the generation of superoxides and lipid peroxides induced by PA. Fumonisin B-1 [FB-1], which inhibits de novo synthesis of ceramide [CER] from PA, also attenuated PA-induced superoxide and lipid peroxide generation and NOX activity implicating intracellularly generated CER in the metabolic effects of PA; such effects were also demonstrable in the presence of the cell-permeable C2-CER. Further, NSC23766 prevented C2-CER-induced Rac1 activation and production of superoxides and lipid peroxides. Lastly, C2-CER, but not its inactive analogue, significantly reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential, which was prevented to a large degree by NSC23766. Together, our findings suggest that Tiam1/Rac1 signaling pathway regulates PA-induced, CER-dependent superoxide generation and mitochondrial dysfunction in pancreatic beta-cells.
The validity of body mass index in predicting body fat percentage
(University of Kelaniya, 2013) Piyasena, W.B.A.I.; Jayasena, R.S.S.; Subasinghe, Wasantha; Gunasekara, K.A.D.C.
Introduction: Obesity has become a leading health concern worldwide. It has become a foremost factor for morbidity and mortality due to non communicable diseases. (Eg: Ischemic Heart Disease, Diabetes Mellitus). Body Mass Index (BMI) is commonly used to define obesity, which is mainly the high body fat content. However, prediction of body fat content using BMI is somewhat controversial. On the other hand, methods like Bio-Impedance Analysis (BIA) is more accurate in predicting body fat content, but lacks population level data for Sri Lanka. This study was designed to fulfill those shortcomings in body fat measurements. Objectives: To determine the relationship between body fat percentage and gender To determine the validity of body mass index in predicting body fat percentage Method: 46 participants including 25 obese (Asian cut off value for obesity >25 kg/m2) and 21 healthy volunteers (non-obese) were recruited in a preliminary cross –sectional study in the Obesity Clinic at North Colombo Teaching Hospital and Family Medicine Clinic, Faculty of Medicine, Ragama. A pre-tested, interviewer-administered questionnaire was distributed to collect data. Height and weight were measured for BMI calculation and percentage body fat was measured using BIA analyzer (MOTEX, 060607-U-01). Results: The obese group had 68% women and 32% men. 86 % of the non-obese group was female. 12% of obese group and 9.5% of non-obese group were suffering from chronic diseases such as hypertension and bronchial asthma in our sample.72% of obese group and 42 % of non-obese group had a family history of obesity. In the obese group mean BMI values were calculated as 31.76kg/m2 (SD=4.36) and 28.575kg/m2 (SD=3.27) for females and males respectively. According to the results, mean values of body fat percentage were 40.8% and 25.82 % for obese women and men respectively. Asian cut off values of obesity according to the 2004 WHO Expert Committee corresponded to 31-39% (mean 35%) body fat in females and 18-27% (mean 22%) body fat in males. Both BMI and body fat percentage data recorded for the non-obese group were within the WHO Asian standards. Relationship of the BMI to body fat percentage was tested by regression analysis. The correlation coefficient of BMI to body fat percentage for females is 0.94 and for the males it is 0.98, which suggests that BMI is a stronger predictor of body fat percentage for both females and males, within the limits of the current study. Conclusion: The results suggest that BMI is a stronger predictor of body fat percentage for both sexes. Even though the body fat percentage of females was higher than males, it was compatible with WHO Asian values.
The way of school counseling in government schools: with special reference to Sri Lanka
(2016) Subasinghe, Wasantha
This paper focuses on school counseling and its effect on student’s educational efficiency. Counseling is an outside support that is given by the qualified person on professional counseling to encourage human life as quality way. Guidance and psychotherapy are other fields relates to counseling. All human being can be faced by the mental troublesomeness in complex social inter-relationships. It can be happened with children, young people, students, professionals, elders so on. Currently; students have high expectations in their life. On the hand; parents force them to work hardly to reach their goals. Within this multifaceted inspirations and other social issues and problems make many inconveniences among the students.