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 ResearchConceptsCluster 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 diariesStigma associated with cutaneous leishmaniasis in rural Sri Lanka: development of a conceptual framework
Nuwangi H, Dikomitis L, Weerakoon K, Liyanage C, Agampodi T, Agampodi S. Stigma associated with cutaneous leishmaniasis in rural Sri Lanka: development of a conceptual framework. International Health 2024, 16: 553-561. PMID: 38487983, PMCID: PMC11375585, DOI: 10.1093/inthealth/ihae021.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchManifestations of stigmaEvidence-based frameworkMultimethod qualitative studyQuality of lifeStigma driversRural Sri LankaAddress stigmaStigma experiencesReduce stigmaSelf-stigmaTargeted interventionsQualitative studyStigmaSystematic reviewTreatment burdenAnuradhapura districtInternational evidenceFacilitationConceptual frameworkSri LankaStigma formationAwarenessPeopleInterventionBurdenThe 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 ResearchConceptsPsychosocial 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
Differences in the characteristics of people who purchase pesticides from shops for self‐harm versus those who use pesticides available in the domestic environment in Sri Lanka
Weerasinghe M, Jobe L, Konradsen F, Eddleston M, Pearson M, Jayamanne S, Hawton K, Gunnell D, Agampodi S. Differences in the characteristics of people who purchase pesticides from shops for self‐harm versus those who use pesticides available in the domestic environment in Sri Lanka. Tropical Medicine And International Health 2023, 28: 901-911. PMID: 37871998, DOI: 10.1111/tmi.13941.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHigh suicide intentSuicide attemptsSuicide intentSuicide deathsConfidence interval -3.2Pesticide poisoning casesLogistic regression analysisCI 1.5Fatal casesCharacteristics of peopleRural Sri LankaPoisoning casesDomestic casesRegression analysisPrevention implicationsSurvivorsHigher proportionDeathPeriod poverty in rural Sri Lanka; Understanding menstruation hygiene and related health issues to empower women.
Hettiarachchi A, Agampodi T, Agampodi S. Period poverty in rural Sri Lanka; Understanding menstruation hygiene and related health issues to empower women. Anuradhapura Medical Journal 2023, 17: 25-28. DOI: 10.4038/amj.v17i2.7759.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchBlood lossManagement of menstruationComprehensive reproductive health educationMenstrual blood lossCross-sectional studyFinancial burdenHealth-seeking behaviourHygiene productsReproductive health educationMenstrual hygiene productsMoor ethnicityMenstrual historyPregnant womenRelated health issuesMenstrual issuesMenstruation hygieneMOH areaHealth educationRural Sri LankaMedical careLower educationHealth issuesImpact of COVID-19 pandemic on health service utilisation and household economy of pregnant and postpartum women: a cross-sectional study from rural Sri Lanka
Gunarathna S, Wickramasinghe N, Agampodi T, Prasanna I, Agampodi S. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on health service utilisation and household economy of pregnant and postpartum women: a cross-sectional study from rural Sri Lanka. BMJ Open 2023, 13: e070214. PMID: 37247958, PMCID: PMC10230333, DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-070214.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCurrent economic crisisHousehold economyFree public health servicesFinancial assistanceNon-parametric analysisEconomic crisisEconomic dataMonthly household incomeSri LankaHealth service utilisationHousehold incomeEconomic componentCOVID-19 pandemicEconomyPovertyIncomeService utilisationRural Sri LankaPostpartum womenCross-sectional studyPregnant womenAnuradhapura districtPublic health servicesLankaHealthcare utilisation‘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 ResearchConceptsEarly 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
Social determinants of health pave the path to maternal deaths in rural Sri Lanka: reflections from social autopsies
Irangani L, Prasanna I, Gunarathne S, Shanthapriya S, Wickramasinghe N, Agampodi S, Agampodi T. Social determinants of health pave the path to maternal deaths in rural Sri Lanka: reflections from social autopsies. Reproductive Health 2022, 19: 221. PMID: 36471339, PMCID: PMC9724344, DOI: 10.1186/s12978-022-01527-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSocial determinantsSocial autopsiesComplex social issuesSri LankaSocial isolationRural Sri LankaSocial supportWorld Health Organization frameworkMaternal deathsPoor social supportGender inequityExtreme povertyDepth interviewsSocial issuesSocial causesThematic analysisSocial factorsPovertyDeath investigationOrganization frameworkDistrict ALevel occupationMost maternal deathsMiddle-income countriesCore determinantsThe geo-spatial perspective of biological, social and environmental determinants of early pregnancy anaemia in rural Sri Lanka: Need for context-specific approaches on prevention
Amarasinghe G, Agampodi T, Mendis V, Agampodi S. The geo-spatial perspective of biological, social and environmental determinants of early pregnancy anaemia in rural Sri Lanka: Need for context-specific approaches on prevention. Geospatial Health 2022, 17 PMID: 36468596, DOI: 10.4081/gh.2022.1110.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPrevalence of anemiaEarly pregnancyPregnant womenRisk factorsFirst trimester pregnant womenHigher anemia prevalenceAntenatal care programsEnvironmental risk factorsHeterogeneous risk factorsMaternal anemiaPregnancy anemiaPregnancy cohortAnemia prevalenceDietary patternsHigh prevalenceAnemiaCare programRural Sri LankaPrevalenceSocioeconomic disparitiesPregnancyHealth DivisionEthnic distributionSignificant differencesAnuradhapura districtHelp-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 ResearchConceptsSymptoms 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 professionalsQuality of life among community-dwelling older adults: evidence from a large population-based study in rural Sri Lanka
Wickramasinghe ND, Ratnayake HE, Perera RA, Agampodi SB. Quality of life among community-dwelling older adults: evidence from a large population-based study in rural Sri Lanka. Quality Of Life Research 2022, 32: 93-103. PMID: 35964270, DOI: 10.1007/s11136-022-03230-y.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCommunity-dwelling older adultsQuality of lifeRural Sri LankaOlder adultsMultivariable binary logistic regression modelSignificant associationMethodsThis cross-sectional studyLarge population-based studyPopulation-based studyCross-sectional studyCommunity-based interventionsLevel of QoLLow educational levelSelf-reported healthLogistic regression modelsBinary logistic regression modelAged 70Mean ageBetter QOLChronic diseasesChronic illnessLower mean scoresQOL domainsQoLAdultsDoes Being Diagnosed As Anemic in Early Pregnancy Have an Impact on the Household Expenditure for Food? Evidence From a Maternal Cohort in Rural Sri Lanka
Gunarathne S, Amarasinghe G, Agampodi T, Wickramasinghe N, Mendis V, Prasanna I, Agampodi S. Does Being Diagnosed As Anemic in Early Pregnancy Have an Impact on the Household Expenditure for Food? Evidence From a Maternal Cohort in Rural Sri Lanka. Current Developments In Nutrition 2022, 6: 654. PMCID: PMC9193294, DOI: 10.1093/cdn/nzac061.038.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchNon-anaemic womenEarly pregnancyPregnant womenRural Sri LankaFirst trimester pregnant womenPublic health midwivesHousehold food expenditureThird of pregnanciesAnemic pregnant womenMann-Whitney U testDiagnosis of anemiaMonthly household incomeLifestyle modificationHemoglobin levelsPregnancy cohortThird trimesterMean ageModerate anemiaMaternal cohortAppropriate treatmentHousehold economic statusNutritional educationSelf-administrated questionnairePregnancyAnemiaFeasibility of using telephone interviews and internet-based message services during the COVID-19 pandemic in rural Sri Lanka: experiences of the Rajarata Pregnancy Cohort
Jayasinghe I, Wickramasinghe Y, Kurera DM, Samarakoon N, Rupasinghe I, Ponmalay P, Agampodi SB. Feasibility of using telephone interviews and internet-based message services during the COVID-19 pandemic in rural Sri Lanka: experiences of the Rajarata Pregnancy Cohort. Rural And Remote Health 2022, 22: 7442. PMID: 35546146, DOI: 10.22605/rrh7442.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTelephone interviewsPregnancy cohortCOVID-19 pandemicTelephone-based strategyHealth message deliveryHealth promotion initiativesLow-resource settingsPregnant womenPopulation health researchersRural Sri LankaPromotion initiativesHealth disparitiesRural areasCohortSelection biasHealth researchersMiddle-income nationsPandemicDeliveryParticipantsLocal settingProper assessmentImplementation of researchSettingSri LankaGatekeeper 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 ResearchConceptsSelf-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-19Involvement of alcohol in injury cases in rural Sri Lanka: prevalence and associated factors among in-patients in three primary care hospitals
Schölin L, Weerasinghe M, Agampodi S, Chathurange U, Rajapaksha S, Holloway A, Norrie J, Mohamed F, Eddleston M, Pearson M. Involvement of alcohol in injury cases in rural Sri Lanka: prevalence and associated factors among in-patients in three primary care hospitals. BMC Public Health 2022, 22: 514. PMID: 35296275, PMCID: PMC8928674, DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-12958-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAlcohol-related injuriesAlcohol Use Disorders Identification TestBlood alcohol concentrationRural Sri LankaAlcohol useInjury characteristicsPrimary care hospitalHospital-based sampleTransport-related injuriesCurrent alcohol usersDisorders Identification TestCurrent alcohol useBinary logistic regressionInvolvement of alcoholHigher AUDIT scoresAdult patientsCare hospitalGlobal morbidityResultsA totalIntentional injuriesAcute intoxicationProblematic alcohol usePatientsPossible alcohol dependenceInjury casesAllergic risk factors for severe asthma among preschool children: a descriptive-analytical study from rural Sri Lanka
Rajapakse Mudiyanselage S, Amarasiri L, Yasaratne D, Warnasekara J, Agampodi S. Allergic risk factors for severe asthma among preschool children: a descriptive-analytical study from rural Sri Lanka. 2022, 5. DOI: 10.1183/23120541.lsc-2022.5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchTemporal Variation and Factors Associated with Allergic Rhinitis in a Cohort of Rural Preschool Children from Sri Lanka
Rajapakse S, Amarasiri L, Yasaratne D, Warnasekara J, Agampodi S. Temporal Variation and Factors Associated with Allergic Rhinitis in a Cohort of Rural Preschool Children from Sri Lanka. Journal Of Tropical Pediatrics 2022, 68: fmac017. PMID: 35188209, DOI: 10.1093/tropej/fmac017.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAllergic rhinitisNasal symptomsSymptom exacerbationPopulation-based cross-sectional studyCommon chronic childhood diseaseChronic childhood diseaseCross-sectional studyLow diagnosis rateSignificant healthcare costsRural preschool childrenPreschool childrenSevere asthmaEye symptomsMean ageChildhood questionnaireRhinitisChildhood diseasesDaily livingHealthcare costsResponse rateRural Sri LankaDiagnosis rateExacerbationLow monthly temperatureSymptoms
2021
How costly is the first prenatal clinic visit? Analysis of out-of-pocket expenditure in rural Sri Lanka - a country with free maternal health care
Gunarathne SP, Wickramasinghe ND, Agampodi TC, Prasanna IR, Agampodi SB. How costly is the first prenatal clinic visit? Analysis of out-of-pocket expenditure in rural Sri Lanka - a country with free maternal health care. BMC Health Services Research 2021, 21: 974. PMID: 34530827, PMCID: PMC8444532, DOI: 10.1186/s12913-021-07005-y.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFirst prenatal clinic visitPrenatal clinic visitMaternal health servicesClinic visitsPregnant womenHealth servicesRural Sri LankaPocket expenditureFree maternal health careDirect medical costsMaternal health careNumber of pregnanciesCross-sectional studyFree maternal healthcareFree maternal servicesMethodsThe study designPrivate health servicesAnuradhapura districtMaternal healthcareMaternal servicesMicronutrient supplementsMedical costsBackgroundThis studyStudy settingStudy design