Is internship training counterproductive for emotional intelligence? A follow up study in a cohort of medical graduates in Sri Lanka

Abstract Objectives: To determine changes and factors associated with child malnutrition, obesity in women and household food insecurity before and after the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic. Design: A prospective follow up study. Setting: In 2019, the baseline Urban Health and Nutrition Study (UHNS-2019) was conducted in 603 households, which were selected randomly from 30 clusters to represent underserved urban settlements in Colombo. In the present study, 35% of households from the UHNS-2019 cohort were randomly selected for repeat interviews, one year after the baseline study and 6 months after COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka. Height/length and weight of children and women were re-measured, household food insecurity was reassessed, and associated factors were gathered through interviewer administered questionnaires. Differences in measurements at baseline and follow-up studies were compared. Participants: A total of 207 households, comprising 127 women and 109 children were included. Results: The current prevalence of children with wasting and overweight was higher in the follow-up study than at baseline UHNS-2019 (18.3%vs13.7%;p=0.26 and 8.3%vs3.7%;p=0.12 respectively). There was a decrease in prevalence of child stunting (14.7%vs11.9%;p=0.37). A change was not observed in overall obesity in women, which was around 30.7%. Repeated lockdown was associated with a significant reduction in food security from 57% in UHNS-2019 to 30% in the current study (p<0.001). Conclusions: There was an increase in wasting and overweight among children while women had a persistent high prevalence of obesity. This population needs suitable interventions to improve nutrition status of children and women to minimise susceptibility to COVID-19.

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Factors associated with one-year mortality of patients admitted with fragility hip fracture: a follow-up study in Southern Sri Lanka

Archives of Osteoporosis ◽

10.1007/s11657-020-00769-6 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Thilina Abeygunasekara ◽

Sarath Lekamwasam ◽

Gayani Alwis ◽

Janaka Lenora

Keyword(s):

Hip Fracture ◽

Sri Lanka ◽

Fragility Hip Fracture ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Follow Up Study ◽

One Year

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Mental Health Status of Sri Lanka Navy Personnel Three Years after End of Combat Operations: A Follow Up Study

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0108113 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 9 (9) ◽

pp. e108113 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Raveen Hanwella ◽

Nicholas E. L. W. Jayasekera ◽

Varuni A. de Silva

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Status ◽

Sri Lanka ◽

Mental Health Status ◽

Follow Up Study ◽

Navy Personnel

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Temporal changes in emotional intelligence (EI) among medical undergraduates: a 5-year follow up study

BMC Medical Education ◽

10.1186/s12909-020-02404-x ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Priyanga Ranasinghe ◽

Vidarsha Senadeera ◽

Nishadi Gamage ◽

Miyuru Ferrari Weerarathna ◽

Gominda Ponnamperuma

Keyword(s):

Emotional Intelligence ◽

Regression Analysis ◽

Multiple Regression Analysis ◽

Multiple Regression ◽

Extracurricular Activities ◽

Percentage Change ◽

Follow Up Study ◽

Postgraduate Studies ◽

Medical Undergraduates

Abstract Background Emotional intelligence (EI) is thought to play a significant role in professional and academic success. EI is important for medical personnel to cope with highly stressful circumstances during clinical and academic settings. The present prospective follow-up study intends to evaluate the changes in EI and their correlates among medical undergraduates over a five-year period. Methods Data were collected in 2015 and 2020 at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. EI was assessed using the validated 33-item self-assessment tool, Schutte Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Test (SSEIT). In addition, socio-demographic details, students’ involvement in extracurricular-activities during undergraduate life, students’ satisfaction regarding the choice of studying medicine and plans to do postgraduate studies were also evaluated. A multiple-regression analysis was conducted among all students using percentage change in EI score as the continuous dependent variable, together with other independent variables (plan to do postgraduate studies, satisfaction in choice of medicine and extracurricular-activities). Results Sample size was 170 (response rates–96.6%), with 41.2% males (n = 70). Mean EI scores at baseline among all students was 122.7 ± 11.6, and it had significantly increased at follow-up to 128.9 ± 11.2 (p < 0.001). This significant increase was independently observed in both males (122.1 ± 12.2 vs. 130.0 ± 12.4, p < 0.001) and females (123.1 ± 11.1 vs. 128.2 ± 10.3, p = 0.001). During follow-up, an increase in EI score was observed in students of all religions and ethnicities. Mean EI score also increased in all categories of monthly income, irrespective of the employment status or attainment of higher education of either parent. An increase in mean EI score during follow-up was observed in students irrespective of their engagement in or number of extracurricular-activities, they were involved. In the multiple regression analysis, being satisfied regarding their choice of the medical undergraduate programme (OR:11.75, p = 0.001) was the only significant factor associated with the percentage change in EI score. Conclusion EI in this group significantly improved over 5-years of follow-up and was independent of gender, religion, ethnicity, socio-economic parameters and academic performance. Satisfaction in the chosen field was a significant predictor of the overall change in EI. Future studies are needed to identify and measure factors responsible for improvement in EI among medical undergraduates.

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