Health in rural Sri Lanka: A cross-sectional survey of three rural districts
| Autor: | Yamuna Siriwardana, Nalika Gunawardena, Sisira Pathirana, Sharmini Gunawardena, Saroj Jayasinghe, Prasad Katulanda, Ishanka P. Munugoda, Enoka Corea, Priyani Amarathunga, Mangala Gunatilake, Nadira D. Karunaweera, Ravindra Fernando, Manuj C. Weerasinghe, Nilakshi Samaranayake, Varuni de Silva, Senaka Rajapakse, Upul Senarath, Deepika Fernando, Ariaranee Gnanathasan, S A S C Senanayake |
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| Rok vydání: | 2019 |
| Předmět: |
Male
Rural Population Population ageing Cross-sectional study Snake Bites Demographic transition Environmental health Cluster Analysis Humans Medicine Socioeconomic status Sri Lanka Family Characteristics Communicable disease business.industry General Medicine Non-communicable disease medicine.disease Health Surveys Cross-Sectional Studies Socioeconomic Factors Unemployment Acute Disease Chronic Disease Female business Cohort study Waste disposal |
| Zdroj: | Ceylon Medical Journal. 64:103 |
| ISSN: | 2386-1274 0009-0875 |
| DOI: | 10.4038/cmj.v64i3.8957 |
| Popis: | Introduction Sri Lanka has a predominantly rural population. However, there is a dearth of research on health and socioeconomic issues in this group. Objective To describe basic socioeconomic characteristics and health profile in a rural population. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional household survey was conducted in 1950 households in three rural districts, selected by a three-stage stratified cluster sampling method. Results The population pyramid showed an ageing population (dependency ratio of 50%). Only 39% had completed GCE (ordinary level). Unemployment rates were high (25% males, 76% females). Agriculture and related work were main occupations. Most lacked amenities (e.g. 61% households lacked a refrigerator) and practiced inappropriate methods of waste disposal (e.g. open burning by 72%). Household illnesses were frequent: episodes of acute illness within two weeks, injuries within past year and chronic illness were reported from 35.9%, 14.9% and 48.3% households. The prevalence of chronic diseases in adults > 20 years were high: diabetes 13.5%, hypertension 16.7% and overweight/obesity 28.2%. Of the males, 22.1% smoked and 12.3% took alcohol. Almost 25% adults chewed betel. Reports of snake bite, dog bites and suicide/attempted suicide were seen in 15.5%, 9.7% and 3.0% households respectively. Conclusions This study shows a unique clustering of health-related problems in rural Sri Lanka. This was characterized by demographic transition, burden from snake bites, chronic diseases and acute illnesses. There were resource limitations and low levels of education. Cohort studies and comparisons with urban areas will enable further elucidation of determinants of health and other issues in rural Sri Lanka. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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