Risk factors for viral hepatitis A infection in Gampaha District, Sri Lanka: an unmatched case control study

Abstract Chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) was first recognized in Sri Lanka in the early 1990s, and since then it has reached epidemic levels in the North Central Province of the country. The prevalence of CKDu is reportedly highest among communities that engage in chena and paddy farming, which is most often practiced in the dry zone including the North Central and East Central Provinces of Sri Lanka. Previous studies have suggested varied hypotheses for the etiology of CKDu; however, there is not yet a consensus on the primary risk factors, possibly due to disparate study designs, sample populations, and methodologies. The goal of this pilot case-control study was to evaluate the relationships between key demographic, cultural, and occupational variables as risk factors for CKDu, with a primary interest in pesticide exposure both occupationally and through its potential use as an ingredient in brewed kasippu alcohol. A total of 56 CKDu cases and 54 control individuals were surveyed using a proctored, self-reported questionnaire. Occupational pesticide exposure and alcohol consumption were not found to be significant risk factors for CKDu. However, a statistically significant association with CKDu was observed with chewing betel (OR: 6.11, 95% CI: 1.93, 19.35), age (OR: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.13), owning a pet dog (OR: 3.74, 95% CI: 1.38, 10.11), water treatment (OR: 3.68, 95% CI: 1.09, 12.43) and pests in the house (OR: 5.81, 95% CI: 1.56, 21.60). The findings of this study suggest future research should focus on practices associated with chewing betel, potential animal interactions including pests in the home and pets, and risk factors associated with water.

Download Full-text

Risk Factors for Neonatal Sepsis in Secondary and Tertiary Care Hospitals of a District in Sri Lanka: A Case–Control Study

Journal of Pediatric Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1055/s-0041-1732472 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Chintha Jayasinghe ◽

Chrishantha Abeysena

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Sri Lanka ◽

Amniotic Fluid ◽

Neonatal Sepsis ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Case Control ◽

History Of ◽

Tertiary Care Hospitals ◽

Control Study

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors for neonatal sepsis. Methods A case–control study was performed in secondary and tertiary care hospitals of a district in Sri Lanka. Neonates who diagnosed with sepsis based on clinical criteria or culture positivity were taken as the case group (n = 240) and neonates born during the same period who had not been diagnosed with sepsis were taken as the control group (n = 240). The controls were recruited from the community. The study instruments were, pretested interviewer administered questionnaire, a check list and record sheets. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed. The results were expressed as odds ratios (OR) with the 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results The independent risk factors for neonatal sepsis were history of abortions, still birth, and early neonatal deaths (OR: 6.78; 95% CI: 3.2–14.3), registration of pregnancy after 8 weeks of gestation (OR: 1.91; 95% CI: 1.07–3.4), total antenatal clinic visits ≤4 (OR: 7.18; 95% CI: 2.1–24.5), history of maternal fever prior to the week of delivery (OR: 2.74; 95% CI: 1.25–6.0) leaking amniotic fluid >18 hours (OR: 10.0; 95% CI: 2.1–47.4), performed >3 vaginal examinations before delivery (OR: 3.28; 95% CI: 2.1–24.5), meconium stained amniotic fluid (OR: 10.57; 95% CI: 3.7–29.7), mode of delivery by cesarean section, forceps or vacuum (OR: 2.33; 95% CI: 1.4–3.9), time of birth of the neonate being during on-call hours (OR: 2.12; 95% CI: 1.3–3.5), being a male baby (OR: 1.74; 95% CI: 1.1–2.8), and birth weight <2,500 g (OR: 5.17; 95% CI: 2.8–9.6) of neonates. Conclusion Most of the identified risk factors for neonatal sepsis were modifiable. Stringent implementation of guidelines and protocols would prevent neonatal sepsis.

Download Full-text

Risk factors for bloodborne viral hepatitis in healthcare workers of Pakistan: a population based case-control study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2013-004767 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 4 (7) ◽

pp. e004767-e004767 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Z. A. Gorar ◽

Z. A. Butt ◽

I. Aziz

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Viral Hepatitis ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Population Based ◽

Case Control ◽

Control Study

Download Full-text

Risk Factors for Acute Unintentional Poisoning among Children Aged 1–5 Years in the Rural Community of Sri Lanka

International Journal of Pediatrics ◽

10.1155/2017/4375987 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

M. B. Kavinda Chandimal Dayasiri ◽

Shaluka F. Jayamanne ◽

Chamilka Y. Jayasinghe

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Multivariate Analysis ◽

Sri Lanka ◽

Rural Community ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Community Education ◽

Asian Country ◽

Case Control ◽

Binary Logistic Regression Model ◽

Control Study

Background. Acute poisoning in children is a major preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in both developed and developing countries. However, there is a wide variation in patterns of poisoning and related risk factors across different geographic regions globally. This hospital based case-control study identifies the risk factors of acute unintentional poisoning among children aged 1−5 years of the rural community in a developing Asian country. Methods. This hospital based case-control study included 600 children. Each group comprised three hundred children and all children were recruited at Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital, Sri Lanka, over two years (from February 2012 to January 2014). The two groups were compared to identify the effect of 23 proposed risk factors for unintentional poisoning using multivariate analysis in a binary logistic regression model. Results. Multivariate analysis identified eight risk factors which were significantly associated with unintentional poisoning. The strongest risk factors were inadequate supervision (95% CI: 15.4–52.6), employed mother (95% CI: 2.9–17.5), parental concern of lack of family support (95% CI: 3.65–83.3), and unsafe storage of household poisons (95% CI: 1.5–4.9). Conclusions. Since inadequate supervision, unsafe storage, and unsafe environment are the strongest risk factors for childhood unintentional poisoning, the effect of community education to enhance vigilance, safe storage, and assurance of safe environment should be evaluated.

Download Full-text