2024
Getting leptospirosis onto the lists of neglected tropical diseases
Vinetz J, Chetrick A, Steimel K, Devillers C, Excler J, Kim J, Agampodi S. Getting leptospirosis onto the lists of neglected tropical diseases. Open Access Government 2024, 43: 52-54. DOI: 10.56367/oag-043-11310.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2023
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
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
2022
Rewriting the history of leishmaniasis in Sri Lanka: An untold story since 1904
Nuwangi H, Weerakoon K, Agampodi T, Price H, Dikomitis L, Agampodi S. Rewriting the history of leishmaniasis in Sri Lanka: An untold story since 1904. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 2022, 16: e0010918. PMID: 36480521, PMCID: PMC9731464, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010918.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchSocial 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 determinantsPlacing Leishmaniasis in the Limelight through the Communicable Disease Surveillance System: An Experience from Sri Lanka
Gunasekara SD, Nuwangi H, Wickramasinghe ND, Weerakoon K, Price HP, Dikomitis L, Agampodi SB. Placing Leishmaniasis in the Limelight through the Communicable Disease Surveillance System: An Experience from Sri Lanka. Pathogens 2022, 11: 680. PMID: 35745534, PMCID: PMC9227132, DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11060680.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchDemographic, exposure, clinical, biochemical and diagnostic data of febrile patients recruited for the largest field study on leptospirosis in Sri Lanka
Agampodi S, Warnasekara J, Siribaddana S, Kularatna S, Gamage C, Jayasundara D, Senevirathna I, Srimantha S, Kappagoda C, Weerawansa P, Pilapitiya S, Lokunarangoda N, Sarathchandra C, Senanayake H, Matthias M, Vinetz J. Demographic, exposure, clinical, biochemical and diagnostic data of febrile patients recruited for the largest field study on leptospirosis in Sri Lanka. Data In Brief 2022, 43: 108378. PMID: 35770027, PMCID: PMC9234077, DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2022.108378.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchFeasibility 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 LankaCommunity Engagement in Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Research in Brazil, Ethiopia, and Sri Lanka: A Decolonial Approach for Global Health
Polidano K, Parton L, Agampodi SB, Agampodi TC, Haileselassie BH, Lalani JMG, Mota C, Price HP, Rodrigues S, Tafere GR, Trad LAB, Zerihun Z, Dikomitis L. Community Engagement in Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Research in Brazil, Ethiopia, and Sri Lanka: A Decolonial Approach for Global Health. Frontiers In Public Health 2022, 10: 823844. PMID: 35242734, PMCID: PMC8885625, DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.823844.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCommunity engagementCommunity advisory groupDecolonial approachCutaneous leishmaniasisCommunity membersSri LankaLocal sociocultural contextRobust community engagementCommunity engagement activitiesQualitative research methodsParasitic skin diseasePublic health problemGlobal health researchAdvisory GroupAnthropological approachCommunity representationMental health outcomesEveryday realityHealth Research programmeSociocultural contextEngagement activitiesThematic analysisSkin diseasesHealth outcomesHealth problemsThe variable presence of Leptospira in the environment; an epidemiological explanation based on serial analysis of water samples
Warnasekara J, Srimantha S, Senavirathna I, Kappagoda C, Farika N, Nawinna A, Agampodi S. The variable presence of Leptospira in the environment; an epidemiological explanation based on serial analysis of water samples. PLOS ONE 2022, 17: e0263719. PMID: 35167605, PMCID: PMC8846531, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263719.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSoil sample analysisSame water sourceSoil samplesWater samplingDifferent climate zonesWet zoneWater sitesWater sourcesWater sample analysisAnimal urineDry zoneClimate zonesNatural environmentVariable abundanceWater samplesMore replicatesSoilOpen wellsSri LankaPresence of LeptospiraMain roadAbundanceAmplicon analysisWaterGreater distancesNeglecting the neglected during the COVID-19 pandemic: the case of leptospirosis in Sri Lanka
Warnasekara J, Agampodi S. Neglecting the neglected during the COVID-19 pandemic: the case of leptospirosis in Sri Lanka. Epidemiology And Health 2022, 44: e2022015. PMID: 35038829, PMCID: PMC9117097, DOI: 10.4178/epih.e2022015.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCOVID-19 pandemicCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemicPublic health surveillance systemsCases of leptospirosisControl of leptospirosisDisease 2019 pandemicHealth surveillance systemsGlobal health systemLarge outbreakInfectious diseasesHealth systemLeptospirosisTransmission dynamicsSurveillance systemPandemicSurveillanceSri LankaDisease
2021
Maternal and child health and nutrition (MCHN) policies and programs in Sri Lanka: a paradigm for public health in Asia
Agampodi T, Amarasinghe G, Wickramasinghe N, Warnasekara J, Perez-Escamilla R, Agampodi S. Maternal and child health and nutrition (MCHN) policies and programs in Sri Lanka: a paradigm for public health in Asia. Sri Lanka Journal Of Medicine 2021, 30: 70. DOI: 10.4038/sljm.v30i2.328.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchWelfare systemSri LankaCountry’s welfare systemEvidence-informed public health policyGender equityUnique nationLimited economic resourcesLocal communitiesChild healthEconomic resourcesPolicy makersUseful lessonsNutrition policiesPublic health policyTriple burdenForeign invasionImportance of healthFood securityHealth policyPolicyGoal targetLankaNutrition outcomesProgram plannersMiddle-income countries
2020
Strengths and Barriers in Achieving “Green Status” of Breastfeeding; The Story of Frontline Health Care Workers in Sri Lanka
Agampodi T, Dharmasoma N, Dissanayaka T, Koralagedara I, Warnasekara J, Pérez-Escamilla R, Agampodi S. Strengths and Barriers in Achieving “Green Status” of Breastfeeding; The Story of Frontline Health Care Workers in Sri Lanka. Current Developments In Nutrition 2020, 4: nzaa043_002. PMCID: PMC7258521, DOI: 10.1093/cdn/nzaa043_002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPublic health midwivesFrontline health care workersHealth care workersHome visitsCare workersGrass root level health workersLactation management centrePostpartum home visitsSri LankaPublic health systemProper breastfeedingIrrational prescriptionCup feedingLabour roomEarly initiationHealth workersCurrent recommendationsHigher social classHealth systemFunding sourcesCare provisionSri Lankan communityFocus group discussionsMothersBreastfeedingComplete Genome Sequence of Leptospira interrogans Strains FMAS_KW1, FMAS_KW2 and FMAS_AW1 Isolated from Leptospirosis Patients from Karawanalla and Awissawella, Sri Lanka
Senevirathna I, Jayasundara D, Lefler JP, Chaiboonm KL, Warnasekara J, Agampodi S, Matthias MA, Vinetz JM. Complete Genome Sequence of Leptospira interrogans Strains FMAS_KW1, FMAS_KW2 and FMAS_AW1 Isolated from Leptospirosis Patients from Karawanalla and Awissawella, Sri Lanka. Journal Of Genomics 2020, 8: 49-52. PMID: 32494307, PMCID: PMC7256012, DOI: 10.7150/jgen.43953.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2019
How context matters: Demonstrating microgeographical differences in social capital and its implications for mental wellbeing in pregnancy with a novel bubble diagram technique
Agampodi T, Agampodi S, Glozier N, Chithrani W, Warnasekara Y, Siribaddana S. How context matters: Demonstrating microgeographical differences in social capital and its implications for mental wellbeing in pregnancy with a novel bubble diagram technique. Health & Place 2019, 60: 102231. PMID: 31629193, DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2019.102231.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSocial capitalSocial capital implicationsSocial capital constructsSri LankaMental wellbeingNeighborhood cohesionCapital implicationsMajor conflictsQualitative approachPolicy makersSpecific communitiesMaternal mental wellbeingQualitative studyContextual levelHealth inequalitiesMental health problemsNorth Central ProvinceDiverse communitiesDifferent communitiesDigestible wayMicrogeographical differencesPoor mental wellbeingMaternal deathsPregnant womenMaternal healthDevelopment and validation of the Social Capital Assessment Tool in pregnancy for Maternal Health in Low and middle income countries (LSCAT-MH)
Agampodi TC, Agampodi SB, Glozier N, Lelwala TA, Sirisena KDPS, Siribaddana S. Development and validation of the Social Capital Assessment Tool in pregnancy for Maternal Health in Low and middle income countries (LSCAT-MH). BMJ Open 2019, 9: e027781. PMID: 31289074, PMCID: PMC6629403, DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-027781.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSocial Capital Assessment ToolSocial capitalEfficiency of societyMiddle-income countriesSocial scientistsNeighborhood cohesionMaternal healthNeighborhood networksSocial organizationSocial contributionSocial participationCognitive validationCapitalInitial systematic reviewNorth Central ProvinceSri LankaMental ill healthPregnant womenCommunityAnuradhapura districtCentral ProvinceResearch gapCountriesMethodological expertsEdinburgh Postpartum Depression ScaleFeasibility of incorporating mindfulness based mental health promotion to the pregnancy care program in Sri Lanka: a pilot study
Agampodi T, Katumuluwa S, Pattiyakumbura T, Rankaduwa N, Dissanayaka T, Agampodi S. Feasibility of incorporating mindfulness based mental health promotion to the pregnancy care program in Sri Lanka: a pilot study. F1000Research 2019, 7: 1850. PMID: 32226605, PMCID: PMC7096187, DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.17049.2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMaternal mental healthMindfulness-based interventionsAntenatal careMental healthPilot studyPregnancy care programsRoutine antenatal careMental health promotionCultural appropriatenessInterventional studyHealth promotionANC programCare programSemi-structured questionnaireMBI programSense of calmnessMindful movementLack of studiesParticipantsHealthDaily lifeMindfulnessAnger managementStudySri Lanka
2018
Feasibility of incorporating mindfulness based mental health promotion to the pregnancy care program in Sri Lanka: a pilot study
Agampodi T, Katumuluwa S, Pattiyakumbura T, Rankaduwa N, Dissanayaka T, Agampodi S. Feasibility of incorporating mindfulness based mental health promotion to the pregnancy care program in Sri Lanka: a pilot study. F1000Research 2018, 7: 1850. DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.17049.1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMindfulness-based interventionsAntenatal carePregnancy care programsRoutine antenatal careMaternal mental healthMental health promotionCultural appropriatenessHealth promotionANC programCare programSemi-structured questionnaireMBI programMental healthPilot studySense of calmnessMindful movementLack of studiesParticipantsSystematic assessmentDaily lifeMindfulnessAnger managementSri LankaCareIs Cancer Screening a Priority among Adult Females in Sri Lanka?
Warnasekara Y, Gamakumbura M, Konthota S, LIyanage L, Lakpriya B, Agampodi S. Is Cancer Screening a Priority among Adult Females in Sri Lanka? Anuradhapura Medical Journal 2018, 11: 11-13. DOI: 10.4038/amj.v11i1.7639.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchScreening servicesCancer screening servicesBreast cancer preventionAssociate professionalsClinic attendanceSecondary preventionCervical carcinomaCancer preventionBreast cancerCancerStudy sampleWomenPreventionOccupational categoriesProfessionalsFemalesHousewivesSample of femalesSri LankaCarcinomaAdult females
2017
Leptospirosis in Sri Lanka
Warnasekara J, Agampodi S. Leptospirosis in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan Journal Of Infectious Diseases 2017, 7: 67-75. DOI: 10.4038/sljid.v7i2.8155.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCase fatality ratioImportant infectious diseasesRisk groupsFatality ratioDifferent occupational categoriesLarge outbreakInfectious diseasesHuman casesLeptospirosisDiseaseFurther studiesComplicated casesExposure riskOccupational categoriesPriority research areasDifferent strainsSri LankaOutbreakClinicopathologyCasesYearsPhysiciansDiagnosisSocial 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 ResearchConceptsSocial 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 communities