Sangeetha M¹, Kularatna YMSY², Jayasundara PGCM³, Sureshkumar K⁴

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is glucose intolerance first recognized during pregnancy and is associated with short- and long-term adverse outcomes for both mother and child. Knowledge about GDM influences screening uptake, self-management, and postpartum follow-up. This study assessed prevalence indicators of GDM and evaluated knowledge regarding GDM among antenatal clinic attendees at District General Hospital (DGH), Kilinochchi. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 423 pregnant women. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and recorded plasma glucose readings. Descriptive statistics were used. Fasting plasma glucose >95 mg/dL was observed in 35% of participants and 2-hour plasma glucose >140 mg/dL in 68%. Only 33% had ever heard of GDM, and family was the main source of information. Knowledge about screening, risk factors, complications, postpartum testing, and long-term child outcomes was generally poor. The findings highlight the need for structured antenatal education and strengthened health-worker counselling to improve GDM awareness and management in this setting.

Pemasinghe, K.A.M.S.¹, Vithanage, V.M.D.¹, Fonseka, T.S.N.¹, Kandearachchi, K.A.M.S.P.¹, Fernando, U.C.P.¹, Jayasinghe, P.P.²

Background: A Nosocomial infection is an infection which was not present or was in the incubation period at the time the patient is admitted to the hospital, but occurs within 72 hours after admission. They are potentially caused by organisms that are resistant to antibiotics. Highest prevalence of nosocomial infections is found in intensive care units and also it is one of the leading causes of death in intensive care units. Aims: To describe the prevalence of nosocomial infections and describe the types and distribution of associated factors of nosocomial infections in the intensive care setting of Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Sri Lanka. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of Colombo North Teaching Hospital for one year duration from August 2015. Patients who did not have fever spikes 48 hours before the admission were included. Systematic random sampling technique was applied. Data collection was done by using an Interviewer Administered questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS 23.0 statistical software. 95% confidence interval was taken for statistical significance. Results: Prevalence of nosocomial infections in the study sample was 41.58% (N= 42). This male predominant study sample (51.6%), showed a normal distribution of age which ranged from 9 years to 83 years (Mean=51.17: SD=17.98). Acquiring infections did not depend on the sex of the patient. (OR=0.767; 95% CI=0.347-1.695). Mechanical ventilation was identified as a risk factor for acquiring nosocomial infections (OR=1.97; 95 CI%= 0.847-4.58). Using dedicated instruments was identified as a protective measure for nosocomial infections (OR=0.903:95%: CI=0.409-1.994). Risks identified for acquiring nosocomial infections include age above 50 years (OR=1.947:95%: CI=0.838-4.42) and more than three days stay at the intensive care unit (OR=1.335:95%: CI=0.82-2.173). Conclusion: Except using dedicated instruments all the associated factors considered in the study were identified as risk factors for nosocomial infections. Using dedicated instruments was recognized as a protective factor for nosocomial infections. Duration of intensive care unit stay and the treatment procedures directly affected the spreading of nosocomial infections. As morbidity and mortality trends of the patients are remarkably increased with nosocomial infections, it is essential to suppress the associated factors and minimize the spread of nosocomial infections.

Jayasinghe, P.P.¹, Iddamalgoda, V.L.², Kulathunga, K.M.D.S.², Kumara, W.A.A.³, Waldeniya, W.G.W.P.K.³, Dharmaratne, S.D.⁴

Background: Congenital Heart diseases are the commonest congenital disease in theworld. It requires regular frequent monitoring and necessary adaptations of the life style.Although the clinic services are free for a child with Congenital Heart Disease, attendingthe clinic generates a significant amount of out of pocket expenses; studying them andassociated factors is a timely need.Aims: To describe the Socio-demographic characteristics of families that owns a childless than 5 years of age with congenital heart disease and calculate the out of pocketexpenditure of those families for a clinic visit.Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among 335 children fromSeptember to November 2014. Systematic random sampling technique was applied withan interviewer administered structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed by using SPSSversion 23.0Results: There was a Sinhala Buddhist female predominance, (53.4%) which was notsignificant. Majority of them were from the central province and were diagnosed duringtheir infancy. Ages of the children varied between 12 to 60 months (Mean37.1:SD14.5).Among them the most common (40.3%) congenital heart disease was Mitral ValveProlapse (N=135). Twenty three percent of participants had taken support from outsidepeople to attend the clinic but no one had to pay for them. Majority (80.9%) of employedparents could not attend to work on the clinic day and 23% of participants lost their dailyincome due to the clinic visit. Total income of the families varied from Rs.12,000/= toRs.80,000/= (Mean=Rs.23759.7: SD=Rs.9026.6). Mean expenditure for clinic visit wasRs1246/= (SD=Rs.650.8). Expenses were not associated with the age (p>0.05), type ofthe CHD (p>0.05), or gender (p>0.05).

Jayasinghe, P.P.¹, Iddamalgoda, V.L.², Kulathunga, K.M.D.S.², Kumara, W.A.A.³, Waldeniya, W.G.W.P.K.³, Dharmaratne, S.D.⁴

Background: Congenital Heart diseases are the commonest congenital disease in theworld. It requires regular frequent monitoring and necessary adaptations of the life style.Although the clinic services are free for a child with Congenital Heart Disease, attendingthe clinic generates a significant amount of out of pocket expenses; studying them andassociated factors is a timely need.Aims: To describe the Socio-demographic characteristics of families that owns a childless than 5 years of age with congenital heart disease and calculate the out of pocketexpenditure of those families for a clinic visit.Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among 335 children fromSeptember to November 2014. Systematic random sampling technique was applied withan interviewer administered structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed by using SPSSversion 23.0Results: There was a Sinhala Buddhist female predominance, (53.4%) which was notsignificant. Majority of them were from the central province and were diagnosed duringtheir infancy. Ages of the children varied between 12 to 60 months (Mean37.1:SD14.5).Among them the most common (40.3%) congenital heart disease was Mitral ValveProlapse (N=135). Twenty three percent of participants had taken support from outsidepeople to attend the clinic but no one had to pay for them. Majority (80.9%) of employedparents could not attend to work on the clinic day and 23% of participants lost their dailyincome due to the clinic visit. Total income of the families varied from Rs.12,000/= toRs.80,000/= (Mean=Rs.23759.7: SD=Rs.9026.6). Mean expenditure for clinic visit wasRs1246/= (SD=Rs.650.8). Expenses were not associated with the age (p>0.05), type ofthe CHD (p>0.05), or gender (p>0.05).