scholarly journals Attitudes on euthanasia among medical students and doctors in Sri Lanka: a cross sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
H. M. M. T. B. Herath ◽  
K. W. S. M. Wijayawardhana ◽  
U. I. Wickramarachchi ◽  
Chaturaka Rodrigo

Abstract Background Euthanasia is a topic of intense ethical debate and it is illegal in most countries at present, including Sri Lanka. The aim of this descriptive cross-sectional study of medical students and practicing doctors was to explore the acceptance of euthanasia and physician assisted suicide (PAS), and factors influencing this opinion. Methods A customised online questionnaire which explored opinions on euthanasia was administered to first and final year medical undergraduates in University of Colombo and practicing doctors with more than 5 years of work experience at The National Hospital of Sri Lanka. Attitudes on euthanasia and PAS were also assessed with the attitudes towards euthanasia (ATE) Scale, which is a 10-item questionnaire. Results A total of 425 individuals responded (males: 178, 42%, age: median – 27 years), which included 143 (33.6%) first-year medical undergraduates, 141 (33.2%) final-year medical undergraduates and 141 (33.2%) practicing doctors. More participants (200, 47.1%) favoured legalizing euthanasia than those directly opposing it (110, 25.9%), but a significant proportion (27%) remained undecided. The mean scores of ATE questionnaire from the whole sample were generally unfavourable towards euthanasia/PAS. Accepting euthanasia as an option for oneself (p =  < 0.001) was the strongest predictor of favouring euthanasia/PAS or supporting its legalization. Conclusion In this cross-sectional survey, more respondents supported legalisation of euthanasia in Sri Lanka than those openly opposing it. Yet, a significant minority that responded as “undecided” for legalisation, were more likely to have unfavourable ATE.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tsegaye Adane Birhan ◽  
Walelegn Worku ◽  
Jember Azanaw ◽  
Lamrot Yohannes

Abstract Background: Globally, khat chewing practice becoming an alarming and common among the youth generation especially in higher educational institutions. It may also leads to frequent misbehavior, poor academic performance and memory impairment among students. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of khat chewing and associated factors among medical students in University of Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia, 2019.Method: An institution-based cross-sectional study was employed on 422 medical students. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS 20 software. Stratified followed by random sampling was employed to select the samples. Multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to identify the predictors. P ≤ 0.05 was used to select statistically significant factors.Result: The current prevalence of khat chewing among medical students was 21.5%. The odds of khat chewing was higher among males [AOR=3.353; 95%CI (1.460-7.701)], Muslims [AOR=6.390; 95%CI (1.903-21.460)], fifth and six year students [AOR= 3.391; 95%CI (1.354-8.488)], smokers [AOR=5.081; 95%CI (1.898-13.601)], alcohol users [AOR=4.872; 95%CI (2.094-11.332)], students who had khat chewer close friends [AOR=30.645; 95%CI (12.261-76.589)].Conclusion: Since a significant proportion of students chew khat, continuous awareness creation on the impact of khat chewing and counseling services are recommended.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samankumara Hettige ◽  
Eshani Dasanayaka ◽  
Dileepa Senajith Ediriweera

Abstract Introduction Cloud storage facilities (CSF) has become popular among the internet users. There is limited data on CSF usage among university students in low middle-income countries including Sri Lanka. In this study we present the CSF usage among medical students at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya. Methods We undertook a cross sectional study at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. Stratified random sampling was used to recruit students representing all the batches. A self-administrated questionnaire was given. Results Of 261 (90.9%) respondents, 181 (69.3%) were females. CSF awareness was 56.5% (95%CI: 50.3% - 62.6%) and CSF usage was 50.8% (95%CI: 44.4 - 57.2%). Awareness was higher in males (P=0.003) and was low in senior students. Google Drive was the commonest CSF followed by Dropbox and OneDrive. There was no association between CSF awareness and pre-university entrance or undergraduate examination performance. Inadequate knowledge, time, accessibility, security and privacy concerns limited CSF usage. 69.8% indicated that they would like to undergo training on CSF as an effective tool for education. Conclusion CSF awareness and usage was nearly 50% among the students and Google drive is the most popular CSF. Lack of knowledge, accessibility, concerns on security and privacy limited CSF usage among students. Majority were interested to undergo training on CSF and undergraduate ICT curricula should introduce CSF as effective educational tools.


Author(s):  
Markordor Lyngdoh ◽  
Ningombam Joenna Devi ◽  
Gajendra Kumar Medhi

Background: The current COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to adopt online teaching for medical learning. While there are undoubtedly benefits that online learning provides, the sudden transition to online teaching presented different challenges to the students as well as the teachers. The aim of this study is to explore the perception and experiences of medical undergraduates on online classes in the backdrop of COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 166 medical students in NEIGRIHMS who had exposure to online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic. A semi-structured questionnaire was distributed after getting informed consent. SPSS 21 version software for Windows was used for data entry and analysis.Results: Eight in 10 of the students do not prefer online learning. Moreover, they believe that practical skills will not develop through online learning. They cite internet connectivity, device-related and software- related issues as the main difficulties they faced during online classes.Conclusions: More than two-thirds of the students do not prefer online learning. The institution can be advised to provide the students with adequate skills and knowledge coupled with appropriate technology to address the issue. 


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samankumara Hettige ◽  
Eshani Dasanayaka ◽  
Dileepa Senajith Ediriweera

Abstract Introduction Cloud storage facilities (CSF) has become popular among the internet users. There is limited data on CSF usage among university students in low middle-income countries including Sri Lanka. In this study we present the CSF usage among medical students at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya. Methods We undertook a cross sectional study at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. Stratified random sampling was used to recruit students representing all the batches. A self-administrated questionnaire was given. Results Of 261 (90.9%) respondents, 181 (69.3%) were females. CSF awareness was 56.5% (95%CI: 50.3% - 62.6%) and CSF usage was 50.8% (95%CI: 44.4 - 57.2%). Awareness was higher in males (P=0.003) and was low in senior students. Google Drive was the commonest CSF followed by Dropbox and OneDrive. There was no association between CSF awareness and pre-university entrance or undergraduate examination performance. Inadequate knowledge, time, accessibility, security and privacy concerns limited CSF usage. 69.8% indicated that they would like to undergo training on CSF as an effective tool for education. Conclusion CSF awareness and usage was nearly 50% among the students and Google drive is the most popular CSF. Lack of knowledge, accessibility, concerns on security and privacy limited CSF usage among students. Majority were interested to undergo training on CSF and undergraduate ICT curricula should introduce CSF as effective educational tools.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
M. R. K. M. Gunathilaka ◽  
R. M. S. I. Rajapaksha ◽  
N. K. Senevirathna ◽  
B. A. Ekanayaka ◽  
M. G. R. S. S. Gunathilaka ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chandrani Nirmala Wijekoon ◽  
Heshan Amaratunge ◽  
Yashica de Silva ◽  
Solith Senanayake ◽  
Pradeepa Jayawardane ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 44-48
Author(s):  
Sughandha Garg ◽  
Debayan Mallik ◽  
Arun Kumar ◽  
Rajasri Chunder ◽  
Ajay Bhagoliwal

Background: Computers have significantly impacted cognitive, social, physical and various other aspects of the modern daily lives of computer users, especially among internet users. Our life is inseparable from the internet, e.g., chatting, online shopping, gaming, video conferencing, and emailing. In the modern day, nearly every job is done sitting in front of a computer. Majority of the day is spent on the computer either working or for recreational purposes. Consequently, the effects of computer use on eyes and vision has increased too. This study will review the factors relating to eye and vision problems amongst students and its association with computer work and provide recommendations for preventing or reducing their development. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the current study was to estimate the prevalence of computer vision syndrome, its knowledge and application among medical students. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, which was carried out amongst the MBBS students (1st, 2nd and 3rd year) of Rama Medical College Hospital and Research Center, Kanpur, India. The data was collected between January 2017 to March 2017. Students who gave their consent were taken up for the study. A pretested, semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. Results: A total of 214 medical students participated and majority of them were below 22 years of age. The prevalence of Computer Vision Syndrome was found to be 83% [95% CI = 67.9% - 91.6%]. More than 70% students spend up to 4 hours in front of computer. Roughly 40% knowledge of Computer Vision Syndrome, but only 10% took any measures to prevent the disease. And those who had symptoms experience them within 2-3 hours of computer use. Majority of them complained of having watery eyes and blurred vision. Conclusion: A significant proportion of students do manifests Computer Vision Syndrome and denotes that the health of the people working on the computers should be emphasized as a field of concern in public health. These are young kids and having this syndrome so early in life will have a detrimental effect on their health in future. Hence the stakeholders involved, needs to be sensitized regarding the importance of the regular eye and health check-ups and proper rest to the eyes. Further research is recommended to know the depth of the problem as it has the potential to become a modern-day pandemic.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samankumara Hettige ◽  
Eshani Dasanayaka ◽  
Dileepa Senajith Ediriweera

Abstract Background: Cloud storage facilities (CSF) has become popular among the internet users. There is limited data on CSF usage among university students in low middle-income countries including Sri Lanka. In this study we present the CSF usage among medical students at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya. Methods: We undertook a cross sectional study at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. Stratified random sampling was used to recruit students representing all the batches. A self-administrated questionnaire was given. Results: Of 261 (90.9%) respondents, 181 (69.3%) were females. CSF awareness was 56.5% (95%CI: 50.3% - 62.6%) and CSF usage was 50.8% (95%CI: 44.4 - 57.2%). Awareness was higher in males (P=0.003) and was low in senior students. Of CSF aware students, 85% knew about Google Drive and 70.6% used it. 73.6% and 42.1% knew about Dropbox and OneDrive. 50.0% and 22.0% used them respectively. There was no association between CSF awareness and pre-university entrance or undergraduate examination performance. Inadequate knowledge, time, accessibility, security and privacy concerns limited CSF usage. 69.8% indicated that they would like to undergo training on CSF as an effective tool for education. Conclusion: CSF awareness and usage among the students were 56.5% and 50.8%. Google drive is the most popular CSF. Lack of knowledge, accessibility, concerns on security and privacy limited CSF usage among students. Majority were interested to undergo training on CSF and undergraduate Information Communication Technology (ICT) curricula should introduce CSF as effective educational tools.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document