Nutritional status and correlated socio-economic factors among preschool and school children in plantation communities, Sri Lanka

Abstract Background Child malnutrition is a major public health concern worldwide, leading to higher morbidity and mortality. It is mostly preventable through public health and economic development. The aim of the present study was to determine socio-economic factors associated with nutritional status among children in plantation communities, Sri Lanka. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed among preschool and school going children in three rural communities of Sri Lanka from January to August 2014. Demographic and household characteristics were documented and anthropometric measurements were collected to calculate weight-for-age (WAZ), height-for-age (HAZ) and BMI-for-age (BAZ). Anthroplus, epiinfo and SPSS versions were used for the analysis of data. Results A total of 547 children (aged 1–15 years, mean 7.0 ± 3.6 years, 53% female) participated in the study. 35.6%, 26.9% and 32.9% of children were underweight, stunting and wasting respectively. Undernutrition was more common in primary school children. Maternal employment, high number of siblings, high birth orders and female children were significantly associated with undernutrition among preschool children. Living in small houses, large number of family members, low monthly income and maternal employment were significantly associated with undernutrition among school children. Conclusions Child undernutrition is a major public health concern in the plantation sector, Sri Lanka. Health education programs among the study population could be effective for solving the problem

Knowledge, attitude and practice of Sri Lankan women towards breast cancer: A cross sectional study

Abstract Introduction: Breast cancer is a type of cancer that develops from breast tissue. Although the knowledge on breast cancer among women in Sri Lanka is high, their practice of breast self-examination is poor. This study was aimed to determine attitudes, practices and the awareness of early detection techniques and risk factors among women in Sri Lanka. Method: A study was conducted between two groups in National Cancer hospital, Sri Lanka and a peripheral women clinic consisting 317 participants in each group. Self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data regarding the awareness of early detection techniques, signs and symptoms and risk factors for breast cancers. Results: A total of 33.8 % of peripheral women clinic and 65.0 % in National Cancer hospital patients had good knowledge regarding risk factors. The knowledge of risk factors, signs and symptoms and screening methods about breast cancers was significantly high in patients attending to National cancer hospital. Older aged people have less awareness about screening methods compared to younger people. People with high education background and those have a family history of breast cancer had more aware about screening and therapeutic methods. Conclusion: Comparative to the peripheral women clinic, patients attending to National Cancer Hospital had a fairly good knowledge, practice and attitude regarding the early detection techniques, risk factors, signs and symptoms. Key words : Breast cancer, Risk factors, Early detection techniques</jats:p

Knowledge, attitude and practice of Sri Lankan women towards breast cancer: A cross sectional study

Abstract Introduction Breast cancer is a type of cancer that develops from breast tissue. Although the knowledge on breast cancer among women in Sri Lanka is high, their practice of breast self-examination is poor. This study was aimed to determine attitudes, practices and the awareness of early detection techniques and risk factors among women in Sri Lanka. Method A study was conducted between two groups in National Cancer hospital, Sri Lanka and a peripheral women clinic consisting 317 participants in each group. Self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data regarding the awareness of early detection techniques, signs and symptoms and risk factors for breast cancers. Results A total of 33.8% of peripheral women clinic and 65.0% in National Cancer hospital patients had good knowledge regarding risk factors. The knowledge of risk factors, signs and symptoms and screening methods about breast cancers was significantly high in patients attending to National cancer hospital. Older aged people have less awareness about screening methods compared to younger people. People with high education background and those have a family history of breast cancer had more aware about screening and therapeutic methods. Conclusion Comparative to the peripheral women clinic, patients attending to National Cancer Hospital had a fairly good knowledge, practice and attitude regarding the early detection techniques, risk factors, signs and symptoms.</jats:p