Oral Presentations

The Effect of Flooding on Mental Health as Perceived by Parents and Students in a Selected Rural Community in Galle District: A Qualitative Study

Fri, 02 Oct 2020 00:00:00 GMT

The Effect of Flooding on Mental Health as Perceived by Parents and Students in a Selected Rural Community in Galle District: A Qualitative Study Colombathanthri, D.V.; Madushanthi, H.J.H.; Lenora, J. Background: Sri Lanka has two distinct monsoon seasons and commonly experiences seasonal flooding due to extreme rainfall. Particularly Southern region is more susceptible to flooding during South-West season. During the period of 2005–2015 floods affected 64% of the total population in Sri Lanka. Flooding can pose substantial social and mental health problems that may continue over extended periods of time. Qualitative data are crucial to a comprehensive understanding of the impact that floods have on the mental health of people affected and can be helpful in the design of policies and strategies to mitigate the impact of floods on mental health. Objective: To understand the psychological burden of flood in a selected community in Tawalama area, Galle district Methods: A qualitative study was conducted in flood affected area in Thawalama in Galle district. Four focus group discussions (FGD) with students (n = 36) and two with mothers (n = 13) were carried out to explore psychological burden after a flood. A pre-tested interviewer guide was used and data were collected until the point of saturation. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Results: The two major themes emerged; replaceable and non-replaceable and secondary stressors. Secondary stressors, such as disputes with insurance and construction companies, problems with personal relationships (at home, work and with friends), lack of understanding, economic problems and problems with employment, ultimately led to mental health problems. Replaceable and non-replaceable (loss of loved ones, loss of home and other personal possessions) as well as the resulting displacement had a strong impact on their mental health. Conclusions: Flooding was a stressful experience and the stress continued for a long time even after water receded. Thus, providing long-term mental health support for affected individuals is important.

Social Media, Family Relationships and Bullying Behaviour in School Children: A Cross-Sectional Study in Galle, Sri Lanka

Fri, 02 Oct 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Social Media, Family Relationships and Bullying Behaviour in School Children: A Cross-Sectional Study in Galle, Sri Lanka Sandakumari, H.H.H.S.; Sundarapperuma, S.M.T.D.; Perera, B. Background: School bullying has been identified as a major public health problem worldwide. Bullying can have negative consequences on both the bullies and bully victims. School bullying still remains as a hidden public health issue in Sri Lanka. Objectives: To assess the relationships between bullying behavior, family relationship and usage of social media among early adolescent school children in Galle municipality area Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in six selected schools in Galle municipal area with 576 students from grade 7, grade 8 and grade 9 classes. Adolescent Peer Relationship Scale which was validated in Sri Lanka was used to assess bullying behavior and victimization. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 25. Results: Mean (±SD) age of the study participants was 12.9 (± 0.84) years. Overall prevalence of bullies and bully victims were 3.8% and 92.3% respectively. Percentage of males and females who exposed to bullying were 96.7% and 93.8% respectively. Although the majority (n = 304) were not exposed to usage of any type of social media, all the students who used social media on daily basis had been involved in some form of bullying behavior. Higher the frequency of the use of social media higher the verbal and physical bullying involvements (p <0.05). Majority of children (n = 545) had good relationship with family members, but 96.3% of them were bullies whereas children who have poor and moderate relationship with family were more likely to be bully victims (p <0.05). Conclusions: The usage of social media positively associated with bullying behavior in adolescent school children. Good family relationships does not seem to prevent bullying behavior of childern. Hence, it is essential to find in-depth personal and psycho-social reasons why bylliyng behavior is common in children.

Sexual Life of Male Stroke Patients

Fri, 02 Oct 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Sexual Life of Male Stroke Patients Liyana Arachchi, L.A.C.D.; Sirithunga, I.W.P.; Muthugala, M.N.S.; De Silva, B.S.S. Background: Sexual dysfunction in stroke survivors is common. However, it is an under recognized complication. Sexual dysfunction is more common among male patients with stroke and 50% or more of stroke survivors are suffering from sexual decline in post-stroke period. Sexual health issues of stroke patients are neglected by the partners as well as health care professionals during the patients′ rehabilitation period. Objective: To explore the experiences of sexual activities after a stroke attack in men Methods: In this phenomenological study, 20 males who were aged between 35-55 years with at least six-month period of post-stroke, visited the physiotherapy and occupational therapy departments at Rehabilitation Hospital, Ragama, were purposively recruited for the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data and thematic analysis was conducted. Results: Three main themes were identified; disease priority rather than sexuality, stroke related sexual inability and deviation of sexual bond with a partner. A priority for the disease rather than sexuality is mostly seen because of thinking of physical disabilities. Patient and partner is giving more attention to the recovery process of stroke and both of them have fear and stress. Stroke-related sexual inability is common due to erectile dysfunction, inability to tolerate sexual position and problems of ejaculation. Deviation of sexual bond was seen due to the changing relationship with the partner, feeling of loneliness and busy schedule of the partner with all households. Conclusions: Male patients with stroke faced various physical and psychological difficulties in sexuality. Eventhough, they can engage in sexual activities, thier sexual bond had been deviated since their partners were busy. It is recommended to have supportive interventions such as educating both the patients and the partners to enhance the sexual bonds for improving the quality of life after the stroke.

Prevalence and Influencing Factors of Depressive Symptoms among Adolescents in a Rural Area, Sri Lanka

Fri, 02 Oct 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Prevalence and Influencing Factors of Depressive Symptoms among Adolescents in a Rural Area, Sri Lanka Madhushani, H.A.M.S.; Weeratunga, S.M.E.B. Background: Adolescence is a transitional stage of physical and psychological development that normally occurs during the period from childhood to adulthood. Due to the physical, social and psychological changes as well as educational stresses, adolescents are more prone to develop stress and depression. Objective: To assess the prevalence and influencing factors of Depressive Symptoms (DS) among adolescents in a rural area Methods: Nine schools were selected in the Dehiowita Educational Zone, Sabaragamuwa, Sri Lanka. Convenient sampling method was used. Students aged 15-17 years in Grade 10, 11, 12 were assessed using the Sinhala version of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and self administered questionnaire used in previous studies, Sri Lanka. Data were analyzed using MS Excel and SPSS version 20. Results: The mean (±SD) age of the students was 16.8 (±0.4) years. Sample (n = 270) consisted of 59% females. Among the respondents, 52% had DS. Out of them, 57% had mild DS, 28% had moderate DS, 12% had moderately severe DS and 4% had severe DS. Female students were more prone to get DS (2.01 ±1.06) than male students (1.33 ±0.90; p = 0.003). DS was significantly associated with broken close relationship (p = 0.02), financial problems in the home (p = 0.03), different harassments such as physical, mental, verbal or sexual (p = 0.01), and exposure to violence (p = 0.002). Conclusions: A considerable proportion of adolescents in this rural area had DS. They need mental health assistance to face broken close relationships, financial problems, different harassments and violence. The awareness programmers for parents and students (school-based mental health literacy programs) and early help-seeking from professionals should be improved and recommended.