Pushpa Jayawardana

Maternal sleep deprivation is a risk factor for small for gestational age: A cohort study

Aims: To determine trimester‐specific risk factors for small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) infants.

Maternal haemoglobin level at booking visit and its effect on adverse pregnancy outcome

Aims:  To determine the effect of maternal haemoglobin levels at booking visit on pregnancy outcome.

Effect of psychosocial stress and physical activity on preterm birth: A cohort study

Aim:  To determine trimester‐specific effects of risk factors for preterm birth (PTB).

Effect of psychosocial stress and physical activity on low birthweight: a cohort study.

Aim:  To determine the effect of physical activity and psychosocial stress on low birthweight (LBW).

Sleep deprivation physical activity and low income are risk factors for inadequate weight gain during pregnancy: a cohort study.

Aim:  To determine the possible risk factors for inadequate gestational weight gain.

Respiratory health of welders in a container yard, Sri Lanka

BACKGROUND The fumes and gases released during welding can lead to respiratory ill-health. AIMS To assess prevalence of respiratory symptoms (RS) and respiratory function (RF) of welders in comparison to a control group (CG). METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted among welders and controls selected from office support staff of a medical faculty. RS were determined by administering a questionnaire and RF with the use of an electronic spirometer. RESULTS Forty-one welders and 41 controls participated. Chronic bronchitis was significantly higher among welders (27%; n = 11) than in controls (7%; n = 3) with an odds ratio of 4.6 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1-23.3]. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second of forced vital capacity (FEV(1.0)), forced mid-expiratory flow rate (FEF(25-75%)) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) were slightly higher among welders (2.97 l, 2.6 l, 3.4 l/s and 339 l/min, respectively) than in the CG (2.79 l, 2.4 l, 3.38 l/s and 323 l/min, respectively), the differences of which were not statistically significant. On comparison of the observed values of welders with the predicted normal values, the observed FVC (2.97 versus 3.35 l, respectively) and PEFR (339 versus 538 l/min) had significantly lower values. CONCLUSIONS Welders are at a higher risk of developing chronic bronchitis with non-impairment of lung function in comparison to the CG.

Evidence-based medicine knowledge, attitudes, and practices among doctors in Sri Lanka

Objective To assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices on evidence‐based medicine (EBM) among doctors in selected hospitals in Sri Lanka.

Factor structure and reliability of the 30-item Sinhala version of General Health Questionnaire (GHQ).

OBJECTIVE To determine the factor structure and the reliability of the Sinhala version of the General Health Questionnaire-30 (GHQ-30). METHODS This was a descriptive study including 368 patients with in the age range of 18-75 years, attending the Out Patient Department (OPD) of Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Ragama, Sri Lanka during the period between June 2009 and September 2010. Sinhala version of GHQ-30 was given to be completed by the participants. Each item of the GHQ was rated on a four-point scale (0-1-2-3). Factor analyses were performed by applying Generalized Least Squares method using oblimin rotation. The internal consistency was assessed by calculating Cronbachs α coefficient. RESULTS Median age of the study population was 32.5 years (Inter quartile range [IQR]=21 years) and the median GHQ score was 9 (IQR 7). GHQ-30 produced a five factor solution which accounted for 51.6% of the total variance (TV). Factor I (Depression) accounted for 38% of TV, Factor II (Loss of confidence) 5%, Factor III (Insomnia) 4%, Factor IV (Social dysfunction) 2.7% and Factor V (Anxiety) 2%. The Cronbachs alpha coefficients of GHQ-30 was 0.94 indicating satisfactory internal consistency. CONCLUSIONS GHQ-30 comprises five factors/subscales and it displayed adequate reliability for assessment of psychiatric disorders among Sinhala speaking primary care attendees in Sri Lanka.

Inter-rater variability of ultrasound scan measurements: balanced incomplete block design

Introduction To assess inter-rater variability of ultrasound scan measurements for determining period of gestation by three raters applying balanced incomplete block design. Methodology Twelve pregnant women who attended the field antenatal clinics were subjected to scan measurements, in terms of bi-parietal diameter (BPD), femur length (FL), abdominal (AC) and head (HC) circumferences of the fetus between 15–24 weeks of gestation. Each pregnant woman was scanned by two of the three raters who were blind to the measurements made by the other using the same machine. Balanced incomplete block design was generated and data were analyzed using ANOVA. Results There were no statistically significant variation among raters in measuring BPD (F = 0.68; p = 0.53), AC (F = 1.99; p = 0.19) and HC (F = 0.06; p = 0.94). There was statistically significant variation among raters for measuring FL (F = 7.4; p = 0.01). Conclusion Statistically significant inter-rater differences were observed only for measurements of FL. However, despite the inter-rater differences of mean abdominal and head circumferences being not significant statistically, their variance can have a clinical significance. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/jccpsl.v15i1.4939 Journal of the College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka Vol.15(1) May 2010 52-58