https://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/6718 Mon, 06 Apr 2026 12:53:48 GMT 2026-04-06T12:53:48Z https://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/6828 Evaluation of the Results of In-vitro Primary Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing for Positive Blood Cultures with Enterobacteriaceae According to Clinical Laboratory Testing Standards Institute ABST Guidelines de Silva, MVAP; Nimeshi, MKT; Wathsala, EADK; Premathilaka, HWAD; Mishel, ICMD; Walpola, LH; Jayatilleke, K Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (ABST) is used to determine the effectiveness of different antibiotics against specific bacteria or microorganisms. The main objectives of this study were to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of Enterobacteriaceae isolated from blood cultures of tertiary care hospitals and to compare the proper ABST results with the primary ABST results of the blood cultures for different antibiotics in the disk diffusion method. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with positive blood cultures with Enterobacteriaceae at Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital. A total number of 34 samples were collected within a period from 09th of March to 09th of April 2023 and both primary and proper ABST were conducted. Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25 software and World Health Organisation network 2023 software were used for the analysis of the study and evaluation of results. According to the primary results, Enterobacteriaceae from positive blood cultures were highly resistant to amoxicillin / clavulanic acid (susceptibility-32.4%), cefotaxime (susceptibility-32.4%), amikacin (susceptibility-23.5%), gentamicin (susceptibility-32.4%), cefuroxime (susceptibility-17.6%), ciprofloxacin (susceptibility-8.8 %) and piperacillin/tazobactam (susceptibility-29.4%). Highest sensitivity in Enterobacteriaceae from the positive blood cultures were for meropenem (susceptibility-67.6%). Co-trimoxazole ( susceptibility-58.8%) and netilmicin (susceptibility 52.9%) showed remarkable susceptibility. Comparison of primary and proper ABST demarcated that few isolates with all antibiotics had major errors in results, i.e., resistant, and susceptible. Meropenem had the highest rate of susceptibility of all antibiotics. Most Enterobactericiae isolates showed no major errors in primary and proper ABST test results in Enterobacteriaceae in blood cultures. Fri, 01 Sep 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/6828 2023-09-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/6827 Diagnostic Utility of Ultrasound Scanning in the Preoperative Diagnosis of Thyroid Nodules Kulatunga, KMHH; Pathirana, AA; Fernando, SSN; Gamage, BD; Epa, A; Sampath, MKA; Sosai, C; Senevirathna, BS A 2.1-fold increase in the rate of thyroid carcinoma is observed in Sri Lanka during the past decade. Despite high incidence of thyroid tumors (7% of the population), malignancy rate was 5%. Effective methods of preoperative diagnosis are crucial for effective patient management. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the diagnostic utility of Ultrasound Scan (USS) in the preoperative diagnosis of thyroid tumors. The study enrolled 108 patients with radiologically suspected malignant nodules. USS findings were reported according to the Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TIRADS), and the results were compared with the final histological diagnosis. Among the 108 participants, the majority were females (78%), and their ages ranged from 15 to 75 years, with a mean age of 47.5. Histology results were available for only 35 individuals, with 77.14% (27 cases) confirmed as malignant. In the 27 histologically confirmed malignant cases, there were fourteen (n=14) reported as 4c, three (n=3) as five. TIRADS system shows a moderate, positive and insignificant correlation (p>0.05) when compared with histology results. Based on the findings, TIRADS system proved to have a 50% specificity and thus additional investigations are required for further preoperative diagnosis. Fri, 01 Sep 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/6827 2023-09-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/6826 Psychosocial Climate of the Sri Lanka Army in Relation to Burnout Prevention: A Qualitative Study Jothipala, PASD; Semage, S; Agampodi, T; Balasuriya, A Burnout is one of the most prevalent occupational mental health problems in military. Stressors are influenced by the psychosocial environment at work. Understanding the psychosocial environment is crucial in planning policies for prevention of burnout. The objective of this study is to describe the prevailing organizational psychosocial climate related to burnout in Sri Lanka Army. We conducted a qualitative study using in-depth interviews. Senior Army officers who have at least thirty years of military experience familiar with the psychosocial atmosphere were purposely selected. The interview guide was built using the Psychosocial Safety Climate framework. The data analysis employed inductive thematic analysis. At the theoretical saturation, sixteen participants were interviewed. We identified seven major themes; the importance of leadership, the importance of cohesion, the role of senior Non- Commissioned officers (NCOs), training and carrier development, identification of psychological issues, welfare and financial mismanagement, and preventive mental health services. Attitudes of leadership were important and problematic behaviors of leadership created a non-hosting atmosphere for mental well-being. The time- trend issues in the army affected the leadership as well as cohesion. The weakening of the role of NCOs downgraded the psychosocial climate. The participants claimed the need to change the recruitment and training as well as the detection of psychosocial issues. The current salaries, financial mismanagement and suboptimal welfare influenced distress. Targeted preventive mental health promotion was a suggestion. Existing psychosocial climate in the army assimilates vulnerability and leads to developing burnout. Early attention and proper action along identified themes is strongly recommended. Fri, 01 Sep 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/6826 2023-09-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/6825 Knowledge, Attitude and Practices with regard to the Use of Facemasks in the Prevention of Covid-19 and Other Respiratory Illnesses Among General Public in Sri Lanka Perera, OSM; Sally, MH; Ranasinghe, HAK; Abeykoon, AI This study focuses on evaluating the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of the general population in Sri Lanka regarding the use of face masks for COVID-19 prevention. The research was conducted through an online survey from March 2021 to January 2022, involving 157 voluntary participants with majority being females (59.9%). The survey assessed socio-demographic factors, knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to face mask usage. The study revealed that the majority of participants (87.9%) strongly agreed on the necessity of wearing face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, indicating a positive attitude towards face mask mandates in Sri Lanka. Most respondents demonstrated a high level of knowledge (61.1%) regarding face mask usage. Majority (65.0%) of the responders demonstrated a good attitude towards face mask usage. Regarding practices, the majority exhibited moderate adherence (53.5%) to face mask usage. The general public in Sri Lanka demonstrates reasonably positive knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding face mask usage for COVID-19 prevention. However, a significant proportion (78.3%, n=123) reported never using face masks for preventing respiratory infections prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights the need for comprehensive education emphasizing the importance of face masks in preventing respiratory infections. It is worth noting that while considerable data is available on knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding COVID-19 among specific occupations in Sri Lanka, limited information is available on these aspects of the general public. Thus, this study attempts to address this void of evaluating understanding, attitude, and behaviour of the general public, related to the use of a face mask. Fri, 01 Sep 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.kdu.ac.lk/handle/345/6825 2023-09-01T00:00:00Z