Browsing by Author "Suranjan, M."

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Anaemia among females in child-bearing age: Relative contributions, effects and interactions of α- and β-thalassaemia.
(Public Library of Science, 2018) Mettananda, S.; Suranjan, M.; Fernando, R.; Dias, T.; Mettananda, C.; Rodrigo, R.; Perera, L.; Gibbons, R.; Premawardhena, A.; Higgs, D.
INTRODUCTION: Anaemia in women during pregnancy and child bearing age is one of the most common global health problems. Reasons are numerous, but in many cases only minimal attempts are made to elucidate the underlying causes. In this study we aim to identify aetiology of anaemia in women of child bearing age and to determine the relative contributions, effects and interactions of α- and β-thalassaemia in a region of the world where thalassaemia is endemic. METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted at the Colombo North Teaching Hospital of Sri Lanka. The patient database of deliveries between January 2015 and September 2016 at University Obstetrics Unit was screened to identify women with anaemia during pregnancy and 253 anaemic females were randomly re-called for the study. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and haematological investigations were done to identify aetiologies. RESULTS: Out of the 253 females who were anaemic during pregnancy and were re-called, 8 were excluded due to being currently pregnant. Of the remaining 245 females, 117(47.8%) remained anaemic and another 22(9.0%) had non-anaemic microcytosis. Of anaemic females, 28(24.8%) were iron deficient, 40(35.4%) had low-normal serum ferritin without fulfilling the criteria for iron deficiency,18(15.3%) had β-haemoglobinopathy trait and 20(17.0%) had α-thalassaemia trait. Of females who had non-anaemic microcytosis, 14(66.0%) had α-thalassaemia trait. In 4 females, both α- and β-thalassaemia trait coexist. These females had higher levels of haemoglobin (p = 0.06), MCV (p<0.05) and MCH (p<0.01) compared to individuals with only β-thalassaemia trait. A significantly higher proportion of premature births (p<0.01) and lower mean birth weights (p<0.05) were observed in patients with α-thalassaemia trait. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly one third of anaemic females in child bearing age had thalassaemia trait of which α-thalassemia contributes to a majority. Both α- and β-thalassaemia trait can co-exist and have ameliorating effects on red cell indices in heterozygous states. α-Thalassaemia trait was significantly associated with premature births and low birth weight. It is of paramount importance to investigate the causes of anaemia in women of child bearing age and during pregnancy in addition to providing universal iron supplementation.
Microcytic anemia in children: Parallel screening for iron deficiency and Thalassemia provides a useful opportunity for Thalassemia prevention in low- and middle-income countries
(Hemisphere Pub. Corp., 2020) Mettananda, S.; Paranamana, S.; Fernando, R.; Suranjan, M.; Rodrigo, R.; Perera, L.; Vipulaguna, T.; Fernando, P.; Fernando, M.; Dayanath, B.K.T.P.; Costa, Y.; Premawardhena, A.
ABSTRACT:Microcytic anemia in children is commonly attributed to iron deficiency without attempting to find the cause. Inadequate investigations to exclude hemoglobinopathies lead to missed opportunities for identification of thalassemia carriers. Here we aim to describe the relative contribution of iron deficiency and thalassemia to microcytic anemia in children. This hospital-based prospective study was conducted at the Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Ragama, Sri Lanka. All newly diagnosed patients with microcytic anemia were recruited and data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Full blood count, blood film, serum ferritin, c-reactive protein, quantification of hemoglobin sub-types and α-globin genotype were performed using 4 ml of venous blood. A total of 104 children (Male- 60.5%) were recruited. Iron deficiency was the cause for anemia in 49% whilst 16% and 10% had α- and β-thalassemia trait respectively. Seven (6.7%) children had co-existing iron deficiency and thalassemia trait while two coinherited α- and β-thalassemia trait. Children with β-thalassemia trait had significantly higher red cell count and lower mean corpuscular volume compared to children with iron deficiency. However, none of the red cell parameters were significantly different between children with α-thalassemia trait and iron deficiency. Iron deficiency contributes only to half of children with microcytic anemia; one-fourth had thalassemia trait. Co-existence of iron deficiency and thalassemia trait or co-inheritance of α- and β-thalassemia trait were found in 9%. Parallel investigation of children with microcytic anemia to diagnose iron deficiency and thalassemia provides an opportunity to identify thalassemia carriers which is beneficial for thalassemia prevention.
The Role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) on Brand Loyalty, Specifically in Relation to the Telecommunication Industry in Sri Lanka
(Department of Marketing Management, Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2022) Suranjan, M.; Patabendige, S. S. J.
Given the contemporary emphasis on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) across various business enterprises, this research aims to investigate the impact of CSR on brand loyalty, with a particular focus on the telecommunication industry in Sri Lanka. This explanatory research employs a quantitative approach to identify how CSR influences brand loyalty within this sector. In this study, CSR is considered as the independent variable, while brand loyalty is the dependent variable. The impact of CSR on brand loyalty is examined through four dimensions: Economic Responsibility, Legal Responsibility, Ethical Responsibility, and Philanthropic Responsibility. Each dimension is assessed using three different indicators, and brand loyalty is evaluated through seven indicators. The research sample comprised 350 undergraduate students selected using a simple random sampling method. The target population for this study included all telecommunication network users in Colombo. Data were collected via a questionnaire designed to assess the impact of CSR on brand loyalty, with the reliability of the questionnaire confirmed by Cronbach’s alpha value. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, employing Mean, Correlation, and Regression Analysis. Correlation analysis revealed a significant and strong relationship between Economic Responsibility, Legal Responsibility, Ethical Responsibility, and Philanthropic Responsibility and brand loyalty. The results indicated a positive correlation between CSR and brand loyalty. Regression analysis was used to test the research hypotheses, and it was found that Economic Responsibility, Legal Responsibility, Ethical Responsibility, and Philanthropic Responsibility each have a significant impact on brand loyalty. All five hypotheses proposed in the research were accepted. The findings confirm that CSR has a substantial impact on brand loyalty.