2024
Investigating disease awareness of cutaneous leishmaniasis in rural Sri Lanka to inform public health services: a cross-sectional study
Gunasekara S, Agampodi T, Weerasinghe M, Fernando M, Price H, Wickramasinghe N, Agampodi S. Investigating disease awareness of cutaneous leishmaniasis in rural Sri Lanka to inform public health services: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open 2024, 14: e088714. PMID: 39581720, PMCID: PMC11590865, DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-088714.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSecondary outcome measuresAnuradhapura districtOutcome measuresProbability sample of householdsTreatment centresMultistage cluster samplingPublic health interventionsPublic health servicesCross-sectional studyData collection periodExpert consensus approachPrimary disease characteristicsRural Sri LankaPrimary outcome measureSample of householdsHealth interventionsLow disease awarenessHealth servicesPerceived susceptibilityEvidence-basedCommunity awarenessDisease awarenessDivisional Secretariat areaCluster samplingProbability sampleAssessment of the productivity loss due to leading maternal ill-health conditions: a follow-up study of a prospective pregnancy cohort in rural Sri Lanka
Gunarathna S, Wickramasinghe N, Agampodi T, Prasanna I, Agampodi S. Assessment of the productivity loss due to leading maternal ill-health conditions: a follow-up study of a prospective pregnancy cohort in rural Sri Lanka. BMJ Open 2024, 14: e082798. PMID: 39477261, PMCID: PMC11529687, DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-082798.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsIll-health conditionsRural Sri LankaPregnant womenPregnancy cohortFollow-up study of womenFollow-up studyProspective pregnancy cohortRajarata Pregnancy CohortSecondary outcome measuresMonthly household expenditureVaginal bleedingProductivity lossStudy of womenPrimary outcome measurePregnancy follow-upMedical careOutcome measuresHigher absenteeismNausea and vomitingPresenteeismHighest prevalenceAbsenteeismThird trimesterWomenRecommended prioritiesExploring fidelity of enactment in a cluster randomised controlled trial testing the effectiveness of ‘gatekeeper’ training for pesticide vendors in reducing self-poisoning in rural Sri Lanka: protocol for a multimethod qualitative study
Kanapathy R, Agampodi T, Eddleston M, Konradsen F, Pearson M, Sanjula B, Malalasekara C, Naseer N, Agampodi S, Weerasinghe M. Exploring fidelity of enactment in a cluster randomised controlled trial testing the effectiveness of ‘gatekeeper’ training for pesticide vendors in reducing self-poisoning in rural Sri Lanka: protocol for a multimethod qualitative study. BMJ Open 2024, 14: e082688. PMID: 38977371, PMCID: PMC11256041, DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-082688.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsCommerceHumansPesticidesPoisoningQualitative ResearchRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicRural PopulationSri LankaConceptsCluster randomised controlled trialRandomised controlled trialsRural Sri LankaPesticide self-poisoningControlled trialsStepped-wedge cluster randomised controlled trialPesticide vendorsScientific peer-reviewed journalsMiddle-income countriesEthics and Research CommitteeSelf-poisoningMultimethod qualitative studyPeer-reviewed journalsFocus group discussionsIntervention fidelityIntervention districtsStratified purposive sampling methodReplicate interventionsQualitative research designSocioeconomic hardshipQualitative studyConference presentationsGroup discussionsRajarata UniversityParticipant diariesThe psychosocial burden of cutaneous leishmaniasis in rural Sri Lanka: A multi-method qualitative study.
Nuwangi H, Dikomitis L, Weerakoon K, Agampodi S, Agampodi T. The psychosocial burden of cutaneous leishmaniasis in rural Sri Lanka: A multi-method qualitative study. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 2024, 18: e0011909. PMID: 38236911, PMCID: PMC10826957, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011909.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsHumansLeishmaniasis, CutaneousPatient ComplianceQualitative ResearchRural PopulationSri LankaConceptsPsychosocial burdenRural Sri LankaPeople-centred careMulti-method qualitative studyPerceived disease severityHigh psychosocial burdenTreatment-related burdenImprove patient outcomesHealthcare seekingStigmatised diseaseIllness experienceIllness-experienceHealthcare modelRelated burdenBody image concernsBurden of CLThematic analysisQualitative studyHospital clinicMultimethod qualitative approachResource-poor regionsDisease burdenNegative societal reactionsPatient outcomesCommunity engagement
2023
‘We do not rush to the hospital for ordinary wounds (suḷu tuvāla)’: A qualitative study on the early clinical manifestations of cutaneous leishmaniasis and associated health behaviours in rural Sri Lanka
Gunasekara S, Wickramasinghe N, Agampodi S, Fernando M, Weerakoon K, Liyanage C, Dikomitis L, Agampodi T. ‘We do not rush to the hospital for ordinary wounds (suḷu tuvāla)’: A qualitative study on the early clinical manifestations of cutaneous leishmaniasis and associated health behaviours in rural Sri Lanka. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 2023, 17: e0010939. PMID: 37172051, PMCID: PMC10208456, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010939.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsFemaleHospitalsHumansLeishmaniasis, CutaneousMalePatient Acceptance of Health CareRural PopulationSri LankaConceptsEarly clinical manifestationsClinical manifestationsCutaneous leishmaniasisHealth behaviorsRural Sri LankaAssociated health behaviorsHealthcare-seeking behaviorSelf-management actionsEarly skinTreatment periodFirst visitSkin lesionsQualitative studyHealth interventionsWorm infestationAnt bitesLeishmaniasisTropical diseasesNarrative thematic approachHealthcare facilitiesManifestationsRural settingsSymptomsAnuradhapura districtSubstantial delay
2022
Help-seeking intention for depression and suicidal ideation during pregnancy and postpartum in rural Sri Lanka, a cross-sectional study
Amarasinghe GS, Agampodi SB. Help-seeking intention for depression and suicidal ideation during pregnancy and postpartum in rural Sri Lanka, a cross-sectional study. Rural And Remote Health 2022, 22: 7273. PMID: 36059212, DOI: 10.22605/rrh7273.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsCross-Sectional StudiesDepressionFemaleHumansIntentionPostpartum PeriodPregnancyRural PopulationSri LankaSuicidal IdeationSuicideConceptsSymptoms of depressionPublic health midwivesCross-sectional studyPregnant womenSuicidal ideationSuicidal thoughtsRural Sri LankaMental illnessHelp-seeking patternsHelp-seeking intentionsCommon mental illnessResource-constrained settingsMental health professionalsMaternal morbidityAntenatal clinicCurrent pregnancyMaternal deathsNumerous morbiditiesPeripartum depressionPostpartum mothersPostpartum periodMaternal depressionVignette-based questionnaireRisk populationsHealth professionalsGatekeeper training for vendors to reduce pesticide self-poisoning in rural South Asia: a study protocol for a stepped-wedge cluster randomised controlled trial
Weerasinghe M, Pearson M, Turner N, Metcalfe C, Gunnell DJ, Agampodi S, Hawton K, Agampodi T, Miller M, Jayamanne S, Parker S, Sumith JA, Karunarathne A, Dissanayaka K, Rajapaksha S, Rodrigo D, Abeysinghe D, Piyasena C, Kanapathy R, Thedchanamoorthy S, Madsen LB, Konradsen F, Eddleston M. Gatekeeper training for vendors to reduce pesticide self-poisoning in rural South Asia: a study protocol for a stepped-wedge cluster randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open 2022, 12: e054061. PMID: 35379621, PMCID: PMC8981379, DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054061.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsCommerceCOVID-19HumansPesticidesRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicRural PopulationSri LankaConceptsSelf-poisoning casesStepped-wedge clusterGatekeeper interventionStudy protocolOriginal study protocolMedical Research Ethics CommitteeScientific peer-reviewed journalsSurveillance of hospitalEthical review committeePeer-reviewed journalsSecondary outcomesPrimary outcomeResearch Ethics CommitteePost-training periodsOutcome measuresHigh riskFaculty of MedicineGatekeeper trainingRural Sri LankaRandom orderEthics CommitteeIntervention effectivenessReview CommitteeInterventionCOVID-19
2021
The hidden burden of adolescent pregnancies in rural Sri Lanka; findings of the Rajarata Pregnancy Cohort
Agampodi TC, Wickramasinghe ND, Jayakodi HG, Amarasinghe GS, Warnasekara JN, Hettiarachchi AU, Jayasinghe IU, Koralegedara IS, Gunarathne SP, Somasiri DK, Agampodi SB. The hidden burden of adolescent pregnancies in rural Sri Lanka; findings of the Rajarata Pregnancy Cohort. BMC Pregnancy And Childbirth 2021, 21: 494. PMID: 34233652, PMCID: PMC8265066, DOI: 10.1186/s12884-021-03977-1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEdinburgh Postpartum Depression ScaleAdolescent pregnancyPregnancy cohortPregnant womenRural Sri LankaLower body mass indexUtilization of SexualLower hemoglobin levelsBody mass indexPostpartum Depression ScaleReproductive health servicesMental health statusPeriod of gestationHealth care servicesLow education levelMental health effectsResultsBaseline dataBlood investigationsPrimigravida mothersHemoglobin levelsMass indexFirst pregnancyClinical examinationMaternal healthSRH services
2020
Emerging pesticides responsible for suicide in rural Sri Lanka following the 2008–2014 pesticide bans
Weerasinghe M, Pearson M, Konradsen F, Agampodi S, Sumith JA, Jayamanne S, Senanayake SMHMK, Rajapaksha S, Eddleston M. Emerging pesticides responsible for suicide in rural Sri Lanka following the 2008–2014 pesticide bans. BMC Public Health 2020, 20: 780. PMID: 32450831, PMCID: PMC7249439, DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-08871-7.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2019
Body image perception and body dissatisfaction among rural Sri Lankan adolescents; do they have a better understanding about their weight?
Goonapienuwala BL, Agampodi SB, Kalupahana NS, Siribaddana S. Body image perception and body dissatisfaction among rural Sri Lankan adolescents; do they have a better understanding about their weight? Ceylon Medical Journal 2019, 64: 82-90. PMID: 32115403, DOI: 10.4038/cmj.v64i3.8950.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdolescentBody DissatisfactionBody ImageFemaleHumansMalePsychiatric Status Rating ScalesRural PopulationSri LankaStudentsConceptsBody dissatisfactionBody image perceptionImage perceptionBody image distortionPubertal Development ScaleFigure Rating ScaleIdeal body sizeHalf of boysSri Lankan adolescentsDiscrepancy scoresCurrent body sizeRural adolescentsDevelopment ScaleAdolescentsDissatisfactionMore boysBoysGirlsPerceptionRating ScalePubertal developmentStudentsOverweight studentsImage distortionPhysical problemsKnowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Responsive Feeding in Rural Sri Lanka (A Qualitative Study)
Pallewaththa P, Agampodi SB, Agampodi TC, Siribaddana SH. Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Responsive Feeding in Rural Sri Lanka (A Qualitative Study). Ceylon Medical Journal 2019, 64: 70-75. PMID: 31455070, DOI: 10.4038/cmj.v64i2.8894.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsResponsive feedingPrimary health care levelCurrent nutrition programsPublic health midwivesHealth care levelResponsive feeding practicesCare levelHealth workersFeeding practicesRural Sri LankaNutrition ProgramStudy participantsSatiety cuesMedical officersHealth areaCaregiversChildrenFocus group discussionsEmotional supportFramework approachFeedingPoor growthFeeding methodFeeding situationsEarly stages
2018
Uncommon Skin Response to the Stings of Tropical Fire Ant Solenopsis geminata
Wijerathne BTB, Rathnayake GK, Dias RKS, Wickramasinghe ND, Thalgaspitiya SPB, Karunaratne AH, Agampodi SB. Uncommon Skin Response to the Stings of Tropical Fire Ant Solenopsis geminata. Wilderness And Environmental Medicine 2018, 29: 551-554. PMID: 30145121, DOI: 10.1016/j.wem.2018.06.003.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2017
Social capital and health during pregnancy; an in-depth exploration from rural Sri Lanka
Agampodi TC, Rheinländer T, Agampodi SB, Glozier N, Siribaddana S. Social capital and health during pregnancy; an in-depth exploration from rural Sri Lanka. Reproductive Health 2017, 14: 89. PMID: 28750663, PMCID: PMC5531101, DOI: 10.1186/s12978-017-0349-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsFemaleHealth Services AccessibilityHumansPregnancyReproductive Health ServicesRural PopulationSocial CapitalSri LankaConceptsSocial capitalStructural social capitalPublic health midwivesLocal community groupsCognitive social capitalKey informant interviewsExploratory qualitative studyRural Sri LankaQualitative data analysisSocial support mechanismsSocial cohesionDepth interviewsNeighborhood cohesionCommunity groupsKey informantsInformant interviewsDiary interviewsSocial relationshipsCapitalQualitative studyClose familyFramework approachSri LankaPsychosocial resourcesDifferent communitiesNutritional status among primary school children in rural Sri Lanka; a public health challenge for a country with high child health standards
Naotunna NP, Dayarathna M, Maheshi H, Amarasinghe GS, Kithmini VS, Rathnayaka M, Premachandra L, Premarathna N, Rajasinghe PC, Wijewardana G, Agampodi TC, Agampodi SB. Nutritional status among primary school children in rural Sri Lanka; a public health challenge for a country with high child health standards. BMC Public Health 2017, 17: 57. PMID: 28068960, PMCID: PMC5223320, DOI: 10.1186/s12889-016-4001-1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNorth Central ProvinceNutritional statusPrevalence of anemiaPrevalence of underweightMean hemoglobin concentrationPeripheral blood filmAge z-scorePublic health challengeSchool childrenPre-adolescent childrenBackgroundNutritional statusModerate anemiaSectional studySevere thinnessAnthropometric measurementsMulti-stage clusterPrevalence estimatesConclusionThis studyHemoglobin concentrationRural Sri LankaBlood filmsZ-scoreHealth challengesIron deficiencyPrimary school children
2015
The 2013 measles outbreak in Sri Lanka: experience from a rural district and implications for measles elimination goals
Dahanayaka NJ, Pahalagamage S, Ganegama RM, Weerawansa P, Agampodi SB. The 2013 measles outbreak in Sri Lanka: experience from a rural district and implications for measles elimination goals. Infectious Diseases Of Poverty 2015, 4: 51. PMID: 26627462, PMCID: PMC4667465, DOI: 10.1186/s40249-015-0084-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMeasles elimination goalElimination goalsMeasles immunization schedulePosterior cervical lymphadenopathyCommon clinical featuresIntensive care unitUniversity Medical UnitMonths of ageBasic demographic detailsCervical lymphadenopathyKoplik's spotsMaculopapular rashImmunization statusPrior immunizationVaccine scheduleCare unitClinical featuresImmunization scheduleMeasles vaccineSevere pneumoniaMeasles immunizationProspective studyRespiratory difficultyRubella vaccineEpidemiological profile
2014
Characteristics of Rural Leptospirosis Patients Admitted to Referral Hospitals During the 2008 Leptospirosis Outbreak in Sri Lanka: Implications for Developing Public Health Control Measures
Agampodi SB, Nugegoda DB, Thevanesam V, Vinetz JM. Characteristics of Rural Leptospirosis Patients Admitted to Referral Hospitals During the 2008 Leptospirosis Outbreak in Sri Lanka: Implications for Developing Public Health Control Measures. American Journal Of Tropical Medicine And Hygiene 2014, 92: 139-144. PMID: 25331809, PMCID: PMC4347370, DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.14-0465.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsCase-Control StudiesDisease OutbreaksHospitalsHumansLeptospirosisPublic HealthReferral and ConsultationRural PopulationSri LankaConceptsRisk factorsHospital-based case-control studyPublic health control measuresCase-control studyExposure risk factorsHealth control measuresFebrile patientsReferral hospitalCase patientsLeptospirosis patientsMean ageControl studyTropical settingsPatientsVicinity of homeLeptospirosis outbreaksDog ownershipIndividual exposureLeptospirosisMain predictorsDisease transmissionControl measuresMajor roleHospitalSetting
2013
The role of private pesticide vendors in preventing access to pesticides for self-poisoning in rural Sri Lanka
Weerasinghe M, Pearson M, Peiris R, Dawson AH, Eddleston M, Jayamanne S, Agampodi S, Konradsen F. The role of private pesticide vendors in preventing access to pesticides for self-poisoning in rural Sri Lanka. Injury Prevention 2013, 20: 134. PMID: 23736739, PMCID: PMC3963527, DOI: 10.1136/injuryprev-2012-040748.Peer-Reviewed Original Research