http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/7304 2026-05-14T07:40:42Z 2026-05-14T07:40:42Z Madushanthi, H.J.H. De Silva, K.K.P.M.K. Gamage, M.W.K. Sundarapperuma, S.M.T.D. Nirmani, K.G.P. http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/8148 2022-09-07T14:22:26Z 2021-08-26T00:00:00Z

Perceived Quality of Healthcare among Residents in Aged Care Homes in Galle District-A Qualitative Study Madushanthi, H.J.H.; De Silva, K.K.P.M.K.; Gamage, M.W.K.; Sundarapperuma, S.M.T.D.; Nirmani, K.G.P. Background: The older population living in aged care homes is increasing with population ageing and demographic changes. Measures to improve the quality of life of older people has attracted the interest of researchers while the quality of healthcare that older people receive will play an important role in it. Therefore, the perception of residents on quality of healthcare will play a vital role to introduce new measures to improve the quality of life of older people. Objectives: To explore perceived quality of healthcare among residents in aged care homes in Galle district. Methods: This qualitative descriptive exploratory study was carried out with a purposively selected sample of residents in aged care homes in Galle district. Eight focus group discussions were carried out with 48 participants using a semi-structured interview guide until reach the saturation point. Data were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The content analysis approach was used to analyze data. Results: More than 50% of the study participants were females aged between 70-80 years. Residents discussed both negative and positive perspectives towards the quality of health in aged care homes. The themes including socio-cultural expectations, physical and mental well being and caregivers’ medical competence were associated with positive perception of quality of healthcare. Lack of financial independence, poor social and institutional support and inadequacy of continued medical and transport facilities were associated with negative perspective towards the quality of healthcare. Conclusions: The findings of this study emphasized that the perception of residents on quality of healthcare at aged care homes primarily relies on socio-cultural contexts, individual health and caregivers’ medical competence. The findings deserve a greater attention of health and social welfare policy-makers for strengthen the social and economic independence of residents of aged care homes to enhance the quality of healthcare.

2021-08-26T00:00:00Z Amarasingha, A.A.D.S. Peiris, H.H. Amarasingha, A.A.B.N. http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/8147 2022-09-07T14:12:33Z 2021-08-26T00:00:00Z

Depression, Anxiety, Stress and Perceived Mental Healthcare Need of Sri Lankan Undergraduates Studying in Selected Countries Affected by Covid-19 Amarasingha, A.A.D.S.; Peiris, H.H.; Amarasingha, A.A.B.N. Background: Due to Covid-19 pandemic, all universities have either postponed or cancelled physical activities and moved rapidly into online delivery mode. It has severely affected the mental health of undergraduates. Objectives: To determine depression, anxiety, stress and perceived mental healthcare needs of Sri Lankan undergraduates studying in selected countries affected by Covid-19. . Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with Sri Lankan undergraduates studying in selected countries affected by Covid-19 from 01st of July to 31st of December 2020. Snowball sampling technique was used. An online self-reported questionnaire was used for data collection. Depression, anxiety and stress were assessed using Depression Anxiety & Stress Scale (DASS 21). Perceived mental healthcare need was assessed by 4 items on a 3-point Likert scale. Data were analyzed with ANOVA and t-test using SPSS. Results: A total of 187 Sri Lankan undergraduates were enrolled consists of 26.7% from India, 39.6% from Russia and 33.7% from Sri Lanka. Females were 61.5%. Of 11.58% had depression (6.32%-mild; 5.26%-moderate), 11.58% had anxiety (5.26%-mild; 3.16%-moderate; 3.16%- severe) and 3.16% had stress (2.11%-mild; 1.05%-moderate). There was no statistically significant difference in depression, anxiety and stress among undergraduates with reference to gender, age, type of degree, marital status, status of living or studying country. About 47.6% of participants thought that it would be nice to talk to someone about their worries of Covid-19; 67.4% thought that it is necessary to get mental health support if one panics in lieu of pandemic; 84.5% thought that it would be beneficial if mental health professionals help undergraduates during Covid-19 pandemic and 74.3% suggested to obtain mental health support to undergraduates who are highly affected by Covid-19. Conclusions: Prevailing Covid-19 pandemic has caused considerable stress, depression and anxiety among undergraduates. There is a need to address mental healthcare needs of undergraduates during Covid-19 pandemic.

2021-08-26T00:00:00Z Kumara, W.G.C. Warnakulasuriya, S.S.P. http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/8146 2022-09-07T14:07:28Z 2021-08-26T00:00:00Z

The Cross-cultural Adaptation of the Begley and Glackens's Assertiveness Scale for use with Nursing Students in Sri Lanka Kumara, W.G.C.; Warnakulasuriya, S.S.P. Background: Assertiveness is recognized as a crucial skill in the nursing profession since it is capable of reinforcing interprofessional relationships, preventing workplace violence, reducing work stress, improving professional efficacy, leadership skills, autonomy and job satisfaction. When assertiveness is inculcated among nursing students, it will pave the way for a sustainable career. Hence, utilizing a proper mechanism to assess the assertiveness among Sri Lankan nursing students is a valuable investment. Objectives: To adapt the Begley and Glackens's Assertiveness Scale cross culturally into Sinhala language in order to use among nursing students in Sri Lanka. Methods: Permission to translate, cross-culturally adapt and use the 28-item assertiveness scale was obtained from the developers. The content and consensual validity of translated version were assessed with a two rounded Delphi using five experts and a consensus evaluation. Based on the Delphi Process, items for the Sinhalese assertiveness scale were selected based on the criteria: (i) if 70% or more of the re-ratings were in category 0–3, that item was omitted or re-worded to make it acceptable. If re-worded, the Delphi process was repeated for that item, and (ii) if 70% or more of the re-ratings were in categories 4–6 and 7–9, that item was preserved. Results: Sinhalese version of assertiveness scale showed maximum content validity of all the individual items (I-CVI=1.0) and maximum overall content validity (S-CVI/UA = 1.0; S-CVI/Ave = 1.0). All the items were in category 7-9 and retained. According to suggestions made by some experts, only re-wording of some items was done in order to retain the conceptual meaning when translated to Sinhala. Conclusions: The Sinhala version of Begley and Glackens's Assertiveness Scale has shown good content and consensual validity where it can be utilized as a validated tool to measure the assertiveness among nursing students in the Sri Lankan context.

2021-08-26T00:00:00Z Hettihewa, S.K. Piyarathna, M.I.P. http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/8145 2022-09-07T14:02:39Z 2021-08-26T00:00:00Z

Phytochemical Analysis, In vitro Antioxidant and Sun Screening Activity of Different Solvent Extracts Obtained from Bauhinia racemosa (maila) Leaves Grown in Sri Lanka Hettihewa, S.K.; Piyarathna, M.I.P. Background: Bauhinia racemosa belongs to the family Fabaceae, is locally known as “Maila” in Sri Lanka and it is widely used as a medicinal plant in Ayurvedic medicine. Objectives: To evaluate phytochemical profile, in vitro antioxidant and sun screening activity of different solvent extracts of Bauhinia racemosa leaves. Methods: The defatted crude extracts of 70% aqueous acetone and 80% aqueous methanol were prepared and subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening tests. Total phenolic, flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity of defatted crude extracts were determined by using Folin Ciocalteu method, aluminum chloride colorimetric method and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays, respectively. In vitro sun screening activity of the extracts was expressed as sun protective factor (SPF) values calculated by using Mansur equation. Results were analyzed by using SPSS software version 20.0. Multiple comparisons were evaluated pairwise at p=0.05, and the values were considered significantly different. Results: The preliminary phytochemical screening revealed that the presence of carbohydrates, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, flavonoids, phytosterols and saponins in both leaf extracts. The results of the total phenolic content for two different extracts were 5765.5±12.6 (70% acetone) and 5341.6±107.4 (80% methanol) mg Gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/100 g dry weight (DW) of leaves. Total flavonoid contents for the two different extracts were 3261.6±175.1 (70% acetone) and 3044.7±35.9 (80% methanol) mg Catechin equivalents (CAE)/100 g DW of leaves. In vitro antioxidant activity for two different extracts were 11.7±1.3 (70% acetone) and 11.8±2.1 (80% methanol) mmol trolox equivalents (TE)/100 g DW of leaves for DPPH assay. For the FRAP assay, 12.9±0.3 (70% acetone) and 15.5±0.8 (80% methanol) mmol Fe (III)/100 g DW of leaves. The 80% methanolic leaf extract of B. racemosa showed promising sun screening activity (SPF=39.6±0.4) compared to 70% acetone leaf extract (SPF=36.3±0.3) whereas Dermatone (positive control) (SPF=38.1±0.7) at 1.5 mg/mL concentration. Conclusions: Findings revealed that both extracts were rich in phytochemicals and 80% methanolic leaf extract of B. racemosa grown in Sri Lanka possess promising in vitro antioxidant and sun screening activity and recommended to further investigations.

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