http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/5949 Sat, 04 Apr 2026 02:12:50 GMT 2026-04-04T02:12:50Z http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/11818 Prevalence of preterm birth and associated maternal factors at Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka Dharmadasa, U.K; Premathilake, S.M.S.P; Kamalarupan, L; Sasrubi, S Background: Preterm birth is a primary cause of newborn morbidity and mortality. Preterm birth rate in Sri Lanka ranges from 10-15 per 1000 live births. Objectives: To assess the prevalence and maternal factors associated with preterm birth at Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka Method: A hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among all mothers attending postnatal wards, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit during October 2023 at Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura. Details of pregnancy, obstetrics and birth profile were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and data extraction sheet. Results: Data were collected from all mothers (n=597) during their postnatal hospital stay. Prevalence of preterm birth was 9.5%. Mode of delivery, pregnancy outcome (singleton/twin), previous history of preterm labour, previous history of gestational diabetes mellitus, consanguinity, stressful events during pregnancy, pregnancy complications like premature rupture of membranes, pregnancy induced hypertension, placental abruption, oligohydramnios, cervical incompetence, chorioamnionitis and vaginal candidiasis were significantly associated with preterm birth. Conclusions: Prevalence of preterm birth was 9.5% in Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital. Mode of delivery, pregnancy outcome, previous history of preterm labour, previous history of gestational diabetes mellitus, consanguinity, stressful events during pregnancy, pregnancy complications and vaginal candidiasis were significantly associated with preterm birth. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/11818 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/11817 Framework on core competences for physiotherapists and nurses working with older adults in Sri Lanka Pereira, D; Senanayake, K; Jayawardana, S; Santhalingam, S; Kamalarupan, L; Tha- botharan, D; Sujendran, S; Lokeesan, V; Karthijekan, K; Senavirathna, C; and et, al The popula*on of Sri Lanka is rapidly ag- ing, and there is a growing demand for healthcare professionals skilled in older adult’s care. The CAPAGE project “Promot- ing academic and professional excellence in health care to meet the challenges of ag- ing in Sri Lanka” is a transna*onal Euro- pean Union co-funded project to enhance professional competences of health care professionals. The main objec*ve of this study is to create a framework of core com- petences for physiotherapists and nurses working with older adults in Sri Lanka. Based on a recent literature review and a focus group analysis with experts, a com- petences framework will iden*fy knowledge and skill-based competences required for health care professionals, spe- cifically for physiotherapists and nurses, working with elderly. Main competences iden*fied were: high-quality standards and team leadership (leader/expert); pa*ent- centered prac*ce, effec*ve communica- *on (communicator); interprofessional ef- fec*ve team collabora*on and shared deci- sion-making process (collaborator); coor- dina*on of care and healthcare manage- ment (organizer); health promo*on, well- ness and well-being (health and welfare advocate); evidence-based prac*ce and lifelong learning and con*nuous profes- sional development (scholar); professional and ethical standards and mul*-dimen- sional approach and best prac*ces (profes- sional). This framework on competences can enable to update and improve knowledge, know-how, skills and mainly the conceptual approach in care and man- agement of older adults, considering specific socio-economic and cultural as- pects of Sri Lanka. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/11817 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/11798 Association of socio-demographic factors on attitudes of nurses toward caring for older adults at Teaching Hospital Jaffna Hazeem, AM; Mathusnka, MKI; Kamalarupan, L; Thanujanan, K Population ageing is increasing globally; hence, it’s crucial to give more focus to caring for them. Nurses are one of the key players among the multidisciplinary team who work with older adult patients. A nurse’s attitude towards the elderly affects their compassionate care. Objectives: To assess the association of socio-demographic factors with the attitude of nurses toward caring for older adults at Teaching Hospital Jaffna. Methodology: This was a hospital-based descriptive, cross-sectional study, conducted among 216 nurses working in Teaching Hospital Jaffna from May 2023 to August 2024. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Ethics Review Committee of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna. Data collection was done by a simple random sampling technique. A pre-designed and validated self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. SPSS 25 software was used to analyze the data. Univariate analysis was used to assess the attitude of nurses, and a Chi-Squared test was performed to identify the association of socio-demographic factors. Results: The response rate was 93.1%. The age range was 25 to 57 years old. The majority of them were female (70.4%). Nearly half were Sri Lankan Tamil (52.8%) and Hindus (47.7%). The majority were in medical wards (18.1%). Nearly more than half were below 05 years of working experience (63.9%). More than three-quarters were diploma holders (78.2%). The majority had a positive attitude (90.3%) based on considering 50% as the pre-determined cut-off value. A statistically significant relationship was found between attitude and currently working ward/unit (p=0.033) and higher education qualification (p=0.011). Conclusion: The Majority of the nurses had a positive attitude towards caring for older adults. Relevant wards and units take appropriate measures to ensure that nurses have the appropriate attitude toward caring for older adults. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/11798 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/11797 Attitude on patients’ rights among nurses working at the Teaching Hospital Jaffna Rahavi, S; Hanustiya, V; Kamalarupan, L; Namessevayam, G Patients’ rights are one of the major aspects of human rights. As a member of the multidisciplinary healthcare team, nurses have a responsibility to preserve patients’ rights. Objective: To assess the attitude on patients’ rights among nurses working at Teaching Hospital Jaffna. Methodology: This was a hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study carried out among 684 nurses working in all wards, clinics, and units of the Teaching Hospital, Jaffna. By using a simple random proportionate sampling technique, 421 participants were required for the study. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Ethics Review Committee, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna. A pretested and validated self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics using SPSS version 27. The results were presented as mean, standard deviation (SD), frequency, and percentage. Results: The response rate was 88.2%. The age of participants varied from 25 to 57 years old. The majority of them were female (70.4%). Participants were categorized into positive attitude (77.8%) and negative attitude (22.2%) by using a 50% pre determined cut-off value, and the mean attitude score was 29.46. The majority have a good attitude toward treating patients with dignity and comfort (98.9%). Half of the participants emphasized the right to patient decision and the right to appoint a healthcare proxy. Patient’s safety and security (99.2%), confidentiality (84.1%) are positively consistent with Turkish and Egyptian studies. Conclusion: The study concludes, nearly two-thirds of nurses have a positive attitude towards patients’ rights. However, a significant proportion still held negative attitudes, particularly regarding autonomy. In-service programs are recommended to strengthen awareness and foster more comprehensive protection of patient rights. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/11797 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z