University of Colombo e-Repository

UCER (University of Colombo Electronic Repository) is a collection of scientific research publications by researchers at the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. This e-Repository serves to manage, preserve and make available the academic works of the faculty, postgraduate students, and research groups. The collection includes faculty publications, master's and doctoral theses abstracts. This repository is updated regularly, and new works are added to collections on a continuous basis

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Authors are responsible for obtaining copyright permission from the publisher and submitting the signed declaration to ir@lib.cmb.ac.lk.

Recent Submissions

Prevalence of Gastro Oesophageal Reflux Disease Symptoms in Western Province, Sri Lanka
(University of Colombo, 2021) Wickramasinghe, N.A.; Samarasekara, D.N.; Yazaki, E.; Ahthavann, T.; Madushika, J.A.; Devanarayana, N.M.
Introduction: Gastro oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a common problem encountered in medical practice in Sri Lanka. Surprisingly, its community prevalence in Sri Lanka is unknown. In this preliminary study, we assessed the prevalence of GORD symptoms in the Western Province of Sri Lanka Methods: A total of 330 adults (age 18-70 years, mean 45.7 years, SD 13.7 years; F:M=1:1.1) were recruited from all 3 districts of Western province by random cluster sampling. An interviewer administered questionnaire with a country validated GORD screening tool (which measures the frequency and severity of heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain, bloating etc.) and other tools (validated stress level questionnaire, food frequency questionnaire etc) to measure various associated factors were used. Weight, height, waist, and hip circumference were measured using standard techniques. Results: Eighty-five people (25.8%) had heartburn and/ or acid regurgitation at least once a week which is an internationally used criterion for probable GORD. When comparing those with GORD versus those without, female gender (females 57.6% vs. males 42.4%), use of medications such as antiasthmatics (11.8% vs. 4.1%) and statins (24.7% vs. 13.1%), asthma (14.1% vs. 5.7%), abdominal obesity (77.6% vs. 62%), high stress level (55.3% vs. 33.9%) and habits such as skipping breakfast (37.6% vs. 19.2%), sleeping after meals (54.1% vs. 38%) and smoking (30.6% vs. 19.2%), were found to be significant factors (p<0.05). Conclusions: Western province of Sri Lanka has a high GORD symptom prevalence rate of 25.8% which is higher than reported in many other Asian countries and is comparable to that reported in Western world. This could be due to highly westernised lifestyle habits and diet in this province.
Advertising literacy on non-core food and beverages, its inter-relationships and associated factors among grade 12 children in 1AB schools in Colombo educational zone
(University of Colombo, 2021) Gallage, Aruni; Arambepola, Carukshi
Introduction: Children are the target of non-core food and beverages through television advertisements which exploit them leading to poor food choices and non-communicable diseases. Children should be empowered with advertising literacy to counteract harmful advertising. Aim of the study was to describe the advertising literacy on non-core food and beverages, its inter-relationships and associated factors among grade 12 children in type 1AB schools in Colombo district. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study conducted among 636 grade 12 students in six Type-1AB schools in Colombo educational zone by two-stage stratified cluster sampling. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess conceptual, attitudinal advertising literacy and advertising literacy performance. Using means, participants were divided into sufficient/insufficient levels of literacy. Associations were assessed using t-test, ANOVA and Chi-squared tests. Results: Response rate was 97.5%. Mean age of students was 16.62 (SD=0.6). Majority were girls (n=331,52.0%); Science Stream (n=375,59%); monthly family income less than Rs.100,000/=(n=343,54%); pocket money less than Rs.1000/=(n=423,66.5%); and watching television less than two hours a day (n=526,82%). Mean conceptual, attitudinal and performance food advertising literacy scores were 70.6% (SD=8.2%), 66.8% (SD=8.8%) and 55.8% (SD=14.4%), respectively. Mean score of overall food advertising literacy was 67% (SD=5.9%) with 51.9% (95% CI=48.1-55.7) of sufficient food advertising literacy. Food advertising literacy performance showed weakly positive significant correlations with conceptual (Pearson r(636) =0.106, p=0.007) and attitudinal (Pearson r(636)=0.133, p=0.001) advertising literacy and no correlation between conceptual and attitudinal advertising literacy (Pearson r(636)=-0.003, p=0.946). Food advertising literacy was significantly higher in females (p=0.014), high monthly family income (p< 0.001), low pocket money(p=0.04), A/Level Science Stream (p=0.003), less television screentime (p=0.012) and having parental influence on food advertising (p=0.001). There was no difference with type of school (p=0.12) or ethnicity (p=0.073). Conclusions: A little over half of the sample had sufficient advertising literacy. Performance significantly correlated with both knowledge and attitudes on literacy. High family income and parental influence, low pocket money and screentime are associated with high advertising literacy.
Network pharmacology-based approach to investigate major compounds present in Aloe vera leaf gel against chronic gastritis
(University of Colombo, 2021) Ediriweera, M.K.; Siridewa, K.; Fernando, M.D.M.
Introduction: Aloe vera leaf gel has been reported to possess a wide range of pharmacological properties. It has been extensively used to treat gastric symptoms. However, the pharmacological evaluation of major Aloe vera leaf gel compounds for the treatment of chronic gastritis remains vague to date. Potential drug targets of aloeresin D, aloesaponarin I, aloesin, aloin, azelaic acid, chrysophanol, erucic acid, esculetin, helminthosporin, rhein and umbelliferone, major Aloe vera leaf gel compounds, were analyzed using a network pharmacology approach. Methods: First, chronic gastritis related gene targets were acquired using DisGeNETand Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) data bases. Second, predicted drug targets of above compounds were extracted using Pharmmapper, SwissTarget Prediction and Similarity ensemble approach (SEA) databases individually. A network for active ingredients-candidate targets-proteins” was constructed and visualized using Cytoscape software. Finally, compound targets and enriched pathways were observed by Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. Results: A total of 267 genes were identified to associate with chronic gastritis. Following analysis, 33 predicted targets of all major Aloe vera compounds mentioned above were found to intersect with genes associated with chronic gastritis. Predicted targets were validated using KEGG pathway analysis. The results of the pathway enrichment analysis indicated that putative targets of major Aloe vera gel compounds mostly participated in signaling pathways associated with anti-inflammation response. Among the putative targets of Aloe vera gel compounds, NOS2 (Nitric Oxide Synthase 2), a major mediator of gastritis related inflammations, was identified. Conclusion: This analysis provides a rationale for researchers to explore molecular mechanisms implicated in Aloe vera gel compounds for chronic gastritis in-vitro and in-vivo.
Factors associated with physical wellbeing of adolescents in an urban setting due to prolonged confinement at home during the COVID-19 pandemic
(University of Colombo, 2020) Chandrasekara, B. E.; Kodithuwakku, L. W. H.; Nirmal, G. P. C.; Dematagoda, D. S.; Fernando, A. D. A.; Atapattu, P. M.; Wasalathanthri, S.
Introduction: Due to COVID-19 pandemic all schools underwent closure in mid-March with students confined to homes. Prolonged confinement leads to behavioural changes which may have negative consequences on the health and well-being. This study explored the factors associated with physical wellbeing of adolescents due to prolonged confinement at home. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in two National schools in Western province, Sri Lanka and information of adolescents between 13-17 years was collected via an online self-administered questionnaire after obtaining the informed consent of the students and their guardians. Lifestyle behaviour choices to ensure health and to avoid preventable diseases were considered under physical well-being. Data were collected 3 months after home confinement. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square were used for data analysis. Results: Out of the 900 adolescents invited, 593 participated (response rate – 65.9%). 53% were males. Of the total sample, 61.6% and 66.6% adolescents spent <4 hours per day on educational activities and leisure activities respectively. Only 11.6% claimed that they engaged in screen-based leisure activities for more than six hours per day. More than half of the cohort (55%) of adolescents did not engage in any form of physical exercise for at least 20 minutes per day for more than half of the days and 49.9% claimed that they felt physically unfit and experienced reduced levels of energy. 58.5% claimed over-eating and 78.1% over-sleeping than before. The older adolescent category (16/17 years) and females were more likely to spend >4 hours on educational activities. The feeling of physically unfit and reduced levels of energy was significantly related to quantum of exercise (p=0.001), over-eating (p=0.001), over-sleeping (p=0.031) and spending >3 hours on screen-based leisure activities (p=0.002). Conclusions: Prolonged confinement has resulted in unhealthy and unfavourable consequences on physical wellbeing in adolescents.
Self-reported differences in resilience and psychological distress between Sri Lankan skilled meditators and non-meditators: A preliminary cross-sectional analysis
(University of Colombo, 2022) Outschoorn, N. O.; Amarasuriya, S. D.; Herath, H. M. J. C.
Introduction: Meditation is viewed to result in calm and relaxed states of mind which may buffer against psychopathology. The current study explored differences between self-reported levels of psychological distress (namely depression, stress, and anxiety) and resilience in a sample of Sri Lankan skilled meditators and non-meditators. Methods: A purposive sample of skilled meditators (SM; n=32) with a meditation experience of more than three years, who followed meditation practices taught in Sri Lankan Buddhist meditation centres/temples/monasteries, and as identified through the “Colombo intake interview to recruit skilled meditators for scientific research (CIISMR)” and a community sample of age and gender-matched non-meditating controls (NM; n=32) participated. They completed the Sinhala versions of Resilience Scale, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), and a demographic details questionnaire, after providing informed consent for participation. The study (EC-19-095) was approved by the Ethics Review Committee of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo.