http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/17460 Mon, 27 Apr 2026 06:56:03 GMT 2026-04-27T06:56:03Z http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/17700 Knowledge on Sexual and Reproductive Health among Pregnant Women and Spouses During Antenatal Period in Katana Medical Officer of Health Area. Manishka, H.A.S.; Abeygunasekara, T.U.W.; Nanayakkara, P.M. Background: Knowledge of sexual and reproductive health during pregnancy is an important aspect which affects the physical and mental health of pregnant mothers and spouses. Sexual relationship is changed during pregnancy due to the psychological backwardness of couples and fear of having a negative impact on the baby. Therefore, it is important to assess the knowledge of sexual and reproductive health during the pregnancy period. Objectives: To assess sexual and reproductive health knowledge of pregnant women and spouses during antenatal period in Katana Medical Officer of Health (MOH) area Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in nine antenatal clinics at Katana MOH area from May to July 2023. A pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. The knowledge level was assessed with 11 questions and categorized the level of knowledge as: 0-3 poor, 4-7 moderate, and 8-10 good. Data was analyzed using SPSS. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square test were used to analyze data. Results: The study was conducted among 206 couples. The mean±SD age was 29.5±4.47 years. Majority were Sinhalese (89.1%). Approximately one fourth of the participants (25.5%) had formal education up to Ordinary Level and 44.9% of pregnant mothers were in their third trimester. According to the findings, 67.7% believed that engage in sexual activities during pregnancy is a safe practice and 87.6% thought sexual activities were beneficial in pregnancy. The majority of the mothers and spouses (63.1%) were unaware of the suitable trimester for vaginal intercourse. Out of all, 71.84% of couples had a moderate level of knowledge of sexual and reproductive health. The leading information source for the participants was public health midwives (88.6%). The knowledge level of the participants was not significantly associated (p>0.05) with any demographic characteristics of the participants. Conclusion: The knowledge of sexual and reproductive health among pregnant women and spouses was ‘moderate’. The study recommends strengthening sexual and reproductive health education during the initial visits to the MOH centers. Fri, 05 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/17700 2024-07-05T00:00:00Z http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/17699 Attitudes towards Antidepressants and Supportive Psychological Therapies among Patients with Mild to Moderate Depression: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study. Jayashankha, M.N.; Mahesh, K.H.D.; Subasinghe, H.W.A.S.; De Silva, K.I.M. Background: Knowledge of sexual and reproductive health during pregnancy is an important aspect which affects the physical and mental health of pregnant mothers and spouses. Sexual relationship is changed during pregnancy due to the psychological backwardness of couples and fear of having a negative impact on the baby. Therefore, it is important to assess the knowledge of sexual and reproductive health during the pregnancy period. Objectives: To assess sexual and reproductive health knowledge of pregnant women and spouses during antenatal period in Katana Medical Officer of Health (MOH) area Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in nine antenatal clinics at Katana MOH area from May to July 2023. A pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. The knowledge level was assessed with 11 questions and categorized the level of knowledge as: 0-3 poor, 4-7 moderate, and 8-10 good. Data was analyzed using SPSS. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square test were used to analyze data. Results: The study was conducted among 206 couples. The mean±SD age was 29.5±4.47 years. Majority were Sinhalese (89.1%). Approximately one fourth of the participants (25.5%) had formal education up to Ordinary Level and 44.9% of pregnant mothers were in their third trimester. According to the findings, 67.7% believed that engage in sexual activities during pregnancy is a safe practice and 87.6% thought sexual activities were beneficial in pregnancy. The majority of the mothers and spouses (63.1%) were unaware of the suitable trimester for vaginal intercourse. Out of all, 71.84% of couples had a moderate level of knowledge of sexual and reproductive health. The leading information source for the participants was public health midwives (88.6%). The knowledge level of the participants was not significantly associated (p>0.05) with any demographic characteristics of the participants. Conclusion: The knowledge of sexual and reproductive health among pregnant women and spouses was ‘moderate’. The study recommends strengthening sexual and reproductive health education during the initial visits to the MOH centers. Fri, 05 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/17699 2024-07-05T00:00:00Z http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/17698 Demographic Characteristics and Features of Long Bone Fractures in Children in Southern Province: A Pilot Study. De Rajakaruna, D.S.H.Z.; Warushahennadi, J.; De Silva, K.M. Background: Fractures in pediatric patients is a significant public health issue. The causative factors for long bone fractures (LBF) are accidental or non-accidental in nature. In children, even minor falls can result in fractures thereby difficult to identify the etiology. Objective: To identify the demographic characteristics and features of LBF in pediatric patients from selected hospitals from Southern province Methods: A cross-sectional study (pilot study) was conducted among conveniently selected 100 children who are admitted to three selected hospitals in Southern province. A pre-tested questionnaire was administered and data were analyzed using SPSS 28.0. The Chi-square test used for analyzed level of association. Results: Children’s age range was between 2 months-18 years. Most of them (55%) were between 7-13 years. Seventy-six were male children. Majority had simple fractures (93%). The commonest fracture site (39%) was the humerus and when the shape of the fracture was considered the majority (44%) had greenstick fractures and only 2% had spiral fractures. The common causes for LBF were accidental falls (70%) followed by RTA (17%) and sports (3%). Left site of the body is common site for LBF (53%). Male children (42%) significantly more likely to have fractures in humerus (p=0.032) and female have in radius (33.3%). Significantly male children (p=0.003) are more like to have greenstick fractures (49.3%) and female children (p=0.004) have transverse fractures (52%). While the 7-13 age of participants was significantly associated with greenstick fractures (p=0.026) and female gender of participants was significantly associated with accidental fall (p=0.049). Conclusions: The overall occurrence of LBFs among paediatric participants are common among males (76%). The LBF was common in humeral bone and the commonest type is greenstick fracture following an accidental fall. Fri, 05 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/17698 2024-07-05T00:00:00Z http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/17697 Effect of Sexual and Reproductive Health Education in Preventing Adolescent Pregnancies among School Teens in MOH Egodauayana (2021 2023). Withanage, S.J.W.; Gajanayake, C.; Lakshima, W.D.S.; Karunanayake, A.; Dias, B.A.S.P. Background: The Egodauyana MOH area experienced the highest adolescent pregnancy rates within the Colombo RDHS in 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Adolescent pregnancies have significant health, social, and economic implications. The main reason for adolescent pregnancies is the lack of sexual and reproductive education and knowledge. Objective: To determine the effect of school sexual and reproductive health education (SSRHE) programs in preventing adolescent pregnancies among school adolescents in the MOH Egodauyana area Methods: An interventional prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in all secondary schools in Egodauyana MOH area in 2022 and 2023. A special expert panel was convened to develop a comprehensive curriculum for SSRHE. SSRHE programs were delivered by trained medical officers in 12 high-risk schools, targeting students in grades 10 and above. Data on total number of reported teenage pregnancies in each school from 2022- 2023 were collected. SPSS version 25.0 was used to analyse data and Chi-square test was used to find the significance. Results: In 2021, there were a total of 75 teenage pregnancies, which decreased to 68 in 2022 and further decreased to 42 in 2023, with 38 reported in 2021, 25 in 2022, and only 9 in 2023. Adolescent pregnancies among school children were significantly reduced in 2023 compared to 2021 (p=0.036, CI=95%). Conclusions: The SSRHE programs implemented from 2021 to 2023 have proven effective in reducing adolescent pregnancies in selected high-risk schools. These results underscore the importance of ongoing investment in comprehensive SSRHE initiatives targeted at adolescents. It is recommended to further strengthen and expand SSRHE programs in schools within the MOH Egodauyana area and outside the MOH area. National policy is a must for SSRHE, requiring collaboration between the health and education ministries. Fri, 05 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/17697 2024-07-05T00:00:00Z