Medicinehttp://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/38262024-03-29T01:32:04Z2024-03-29T01:32:04ZKnowledge and attitudes towards psychological counselling and guidance among first year undergraduates at the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence UniversityAbhayasinghe, MPKWhttp://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/14612023-04-26T11:05:12Z2013-01-01T00:00:00ZKnowledge and attitudes towards psychological counselling and guidance among first year undergraduates at the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University
Abhayasinghe, MPKW
Introduction-Students are the major recipients of psychological guidance and counselling services in a university setting where each student is enable to derive optimal educational benefits so as to actualize his/ her potentialities. Students face great challenges and difficulties ranging from individual personal problems, to institutional and general problems when they enter a university for the first time. Purpose of this study was to determine knowledge and attitude of a selected group of undergraduates towards psychological guidance and counselling. Methodology- This was a descriptive cross sectional study, conducted in first year undergraduates of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, KDU. A pilot study was carried out with 05 first year undergraduates of the B.Sc. Nursing Programme at University of Sri Jayewardenepura, to test the study instrument. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Ethical Review Committee of the Faculty of Medicine, KDU. Pre tested, self - reported questionnaire focused on attitudes and knowledge on guidance and counselling was administered to 177 fist year undergraduates of FAHS, KDU after obtaining informed consent from the participants. Data analysis was done using SPSS software. Results-The study population included 109 (61.6%) females and 68 (38.4%) males. High proportion of students (75.7%) reported awareness of guidance and counselling services provided by the university. Students- knowledge level towards psychological guidance and psychological counselling were at a higher level. Considering attitudes towards guidance and psychological counselling, more than half the population showed negative attitudes towards the three domains of attitudes; that is, psychological openness, indifference to stigma and help seeking behaviour. Conclusion- Majority of undergraduates had a good knowledge on guidance and counselling. However attitudes towards psychological openness, indifference to stigma and help seeking behaviour were negative. It is recommended to conduct workshops or awareness programmes to enhance students- knowledge and positive attitudes towards guidance and counselling services especially during their orientation period and promote future research to provide effective psychological guidance and counselling services for undegraduates of KDU.
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2013-01-01T00:00:00ZAnthropometric measuremets and nutritional adequacy of elite Sri Lankan volleyball playersGanegama Arachchi, VMakuloluwa, PTRWasalathanthiri, Shttp://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/14602023-04-26T11:47:48Z2013-01-01T00:00:00ZAnthropometric measuremets and nutritional adequacy of elite Sri Lankan volleyball players
Ganegama Arachchi, V; Makuloluwa, PTR; Wasalathanthiri, S
Previous research has shown that nutrition plays a significant role in successful performance in sports. The objective of this study was to assess anthropometric measurements and nutrient adequacy in competitive volleyball players. The sample consisted of 48 national and international level volleyball players. Data were collected 3 months prior to the 10th South Asian Games held in Colombo. Dietary history was obtained by 24 hour dietary recall method using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Nutrient intake was calculated using diet analysis software. BMI and percentage body fat were calculated using height, weight and skin fold thickness. All volleyball players were in the recommended BMI range (21±1.708 kg/m2) though slightly higher than their counterparts in the region. Mean percentage of body fat 15.35±4.34 in males and 16.75±6.01 in females was not comparable with the players in the continent. Only a minority (10%) of players had daily calorie adequacy; approximately 60% of players had 50-75.9% of daily calorie adequacy. None of the volleyball players have consumed proteins to meet recommended daily requirement. The dietary intake of calcium, riboflavin and thiamin were more than the Recommended Daily Adequacy (RDA) in over 75% of volleyball players but iron and ascorbic acid intakes were below the RDA in the majority of players. The analysis of nutritional profile has shown that the volleyball players have not received the required amounts of both macro and micronutrients though the anthropometric parameters are almost comparable with their counterparts in the region. The findings suggest the need for sport authorities to plan and recommend optimum dietary schedules along with appropriate nutritional counseling.
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2013-01-01T00:00:00ZFactors associated with anaemia during pregnancy in a semi urban area Dehiwala Mount Lavinia: a case-control studyRamani, PDSMakuloluwa, PTRhttp://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/14592023-04-26T11:19:20Z2013-01-01T00:00:00ZFactors associated with anaemia during pregnancy in a semi urban area Dehiwala Mount Lavinia: a case-control study
Ramani, PDS; Makuloluwa, PTR
Sri Lanka is much ahead in many health indicators when compared with other developing countries. However, this is not so with regard to indicators on nutrition, and the determinants are not only health but also economic, social and others. Therefore, to describe selected factors associated with anaemia during pregnancy; this study was conducted in the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) area of Dehiwala - Mount Lavinia which is the field training area of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU). Following the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines, anaemia was taken as haemoglobin level below 11.0 g/dl (6.8mmol/l). Cases were selected from all the antenatal clinics in the KDU Field Training Area during the study period of two weeks. For each case, two controls were selected who were the next two attendees with a haemoglobin level of 11.0 g/dl or above. Twenty three mothers with low haemoglobin levels were used as cases while 46 were selected as controls. Cases and controls were not different in respect to income level, other demographics, and particulars about previous pregnancies.Age, (OR = 0.3429 CI=0.1219-0.9644) and having taken worm treatment within the past 3 months (OR = 0.2132 CI=0.054-0.8208) were differ from each others. There were more housewives among the cases. Data were analyzed based on their breakfirst, lunch and dinner menus. Lunch was the main meal for both cases and controls. Consumption of animal proteins was more in controls than in the cases who were anaemic. Also they had their meals with less animal proteins. This study reveals, anaemic pregnant females were older than the controls and had not taken worm treatment during the preceding three months. Therefore, all pregnant females should be encouraged to take antihelmintics.
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2013-01-01T00:00:00ZPreliminary phytochemical screening of different extracts of whole plant of Enicostemma littorale BlumeVinotha, SThabrew, ISri Ranjani, Shttp://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/14582023-04-26T10:58:39Z2013-01-01T00:00:00ZPreliminary phytochemical screening of different extracts of whole plant of Enicostemma littorale Blume
Vinotha, S; Thabrew, I; Sri Ranjani, S
Enicostemma littorale Blume(Gentianaceae family), which is commonly known as Mamajaka (Sanskrit),Vellarugu (Tamil) and Indian gentian (English). E. littorale isa perennial herb which grows in coastal areas of Northern and Eastern province of Sri Lanka. The whole plant is dried and powdered and used to treat rheumatism, swelling, back pain, diabetes mellitus, constipation, and skin diseases.The aim of this study is to evaluate the phytochemical constituents in different extracts of E. littorale according to the standard procedures. Quantitative estimation of some of the active constituents like alkaloids, flavonoids and saponins were also carried out. The preliminary phytochemical screening of hot and cold ethanol, methanol and water extracts showed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, steroids, tannins, proteins, reducing sugar coumarins and quinones and absence of anthraquinones. Cold and hot water extracts showed the presence of fat and fixed oil. The total alkaloid and flavonoid contents were found to be 2.25 ± 0.01 % and 25.34 ± 0.24 % respectively and total saponin content was (Foaming Index) FI < 100. The phytochemicals identified in the present study may be used as tools for quality control of drugs prepared with E. littorale in the future, for the treatment of a variety of disease conditions.
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