Breaking the silence about institutional child abuse in Sri Lanka

Background: In Sri Lanka where seventy per cent of the population is Buddhist, there are more than twelve thousand Buddhist monasteries accessed by children for educational and religious purposes. Despite scandalous media reports on incidents of child abuse in Buddhist monasteries in Sri Lanka (BMS), no previous academic or public inquiry has been undertaken on this issue. Aim: The study set out to explore and describe the silence around child abuse in the monastic context at an interpersonal, institutional, professional and academic level. Method: Operationally defining the incidents of child abuse in the BMS as the case, an instrumental case study approach was employed (Stake, 1998). Using social constructionism (Burger and Luckman, 1967) and ecological systems theory (Bronfenbrenner, 1979) as a theoretical framework, data were gathered from multiple sources including semi-structured interviews with four former monks who had experienced child abuse as novice monks, three senior monks who were familiar with and willing to discuss the issue, and three child protection officers with relevant work experience. Interview data were analysed using thematic networking (Attride-Sterling, 2001) and reflexive thematic analysis (Braun and Clarke, 2019). Other data sources included a reflexive journal, and publicly available data such as policy documents, media reports and interviews. Results: Data analysis produced three thematic clusters: predisposing silencers, precipitating silencers, and perpetuating silencers. While survivors’ accounts converged on other data sources, accounts of monastic leaders and child protection officers contained a mixture of convergent and divergent views. Conclusions: Overall, the findings indicated that: the survivors silently absorbed the memories of abuse due to various interpersonal, social, and structural limitations, the monastic leadership remained reticent due to ignorance, interest in institutional power and reputation, while the child protection service towards children in monasteries was hampered by structural, cultural and policy limitations. The findings contribute to the existing literature by providing unique insights into the social ecological barriers to recognition, disclosure, and intervention of child abuse in loosely regulated institutions in developing countries

Evaluating sewer corrosion control options using a novel laboratory scale sewer system

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) generation in sewer systems presents a significant cost to public due to metal and concrete corrosion and destruction of the asset and is responsible for obnoxious odour and potential toxicity. Several methods are adopted to control the corrosion. Most popular methods are dosing chemicals either to bind the H2S or to adjust pH to higher values to convert H2S to a form that will prevent the emission to air. Effectiveness and cost of these methods vary from researcher to researcher. Mainly due to the poor access system, fundamentals behind the effectiveness are not clear. Fundamentals are not properly understood because simulating the sewer system, especially partial flow sewer, is challenging due to exposure to atmosphere and a high flow velocity and hence there was no single laboratory model that was available to simulate conditions. The main objective of this research is: • To develop a laboratory testing system capable of generating H2S in similar conditions to a real sewer system • To evaluate various control measures of sulfate reduction in the sewer system • To understand the mechanism of H2S generation and control • Formulate a more cost-effective H2S control method • Development of the model To achieve the main objectives, a combination of two traditionally used methods –pH control using lime and ferrous chloride addition- were tested. Synthetic wastewater was fed into the reactor. Produced hydrogen sulfide concentrations were measured using the colorimetric method. Reduction of H2S in the gas phase was monitored with the concentration of dissolved oxygen in the liquid phase. The comparison of the existing hydrogen sulfide control methods with the tested combined method of pH adjustment and ferrous chloride dosing exhibited important benefits of the new method. This method was found to be more efficient and cost effective. Due to sludge reduction and chemical reduction, the treatment process (sludge treatment process) will be much easier in the downstream. The addition of ferrous chloride at higher pH reduced the gas phase H2S concentration even further as did the presence of oxygen. The discrepancy between actual H2S gas phase measurements and the theoretical gas phase values was identified. Silver nitrate titration using a silver electrode was used to identify the final products of the reactions. To further identify the sulphur species, a model using stoichiometric coefficients was developed and tested under various experimental conditions. It was noted, that SO42-, S2O32- , So and disulfide were the major species formed in the sewer with the variation of DO level and H2S level in the liquid phase. Formation of disulfide is advantageous, as it requires low DO level which may already exist in gravity sewers. In addition, the disulfide can not be converted back to gaseous form or processed by microbes into H2S. The findings of this work were used for the design of the proposed experimental and theoretical work. The data produced in the experimental work was used to develop a process model of the combined oxidation of H2S and reduction of its concentration in the sewer headspace. Such a model can be used to optimize H2S in a gravity sewer system, achieving the required gas concentration reduction at a minimum cost

Diagnosing Mathematics Ability of Technology Students: Misconceptions in Algebra

Catering to a long-standing need in the country, the technology stream was introduced to the G.C.E. (A/L) in Sri Lanka in 2015 with one compulsory subject Science for Technology formed by combining six Science subjects including Mathematics. There is no argument that a sound Mathematics background is essential to produce a good technology graduate. Not only do technologists need Mathematics knowledge in technological applications, but also the logical, analytical, and critical thinking developed through the learning of mathematics is essential for them in solving problems. Hence, technology faculties around the country observe that the command in mathematics of their new entrants needs improvement. As a diagnosis and to uplift their mathematics achievement, this study aims to explore one aspect of their mathematics knowledge: common mistakes and misconceptions. This paper reports on the extent to which algebraic mistakes are made by students entering Technology Faculties. The data for this study comes from a three-week online intensive mathematics course that students follow, prior to commencing their degree program. Students ask to respond to ten questions designed to capture errors in algebraic manipulations. The analysis of data shows a lack of understanding of the intricacies of division by zero consequently resulting in cancellation errors, erroneous manipulations of algebraic expressions, and improper use of parenthesis and priority of exponents in the order of operations. Another mistake is extending the distributive property of multiplication over addition erroneously to distributing multiplication over multiplication. More importantly, the data reveals a training these students have received in school that is mathematically less precise and therefore highlights the need to make students unlearn these erroneous habits that is ingrained in them for many years. Further, these results urge instructors to incorporate purposeful remedial actions into their early mathematics courses to better prepare them for their future technology.   Full paper submission of ICIET 202

Knowledge, Attitude and Associated Factors on Family Planning Practices among Antenatal Mothers Attending a Teaching Hospital in Sri Lanka

Introduction: Understanding the antenatal mothers’ knowledge and attitude towards family planning (FP) helps to enhance their family well-being. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and factors associated with family planning practices (FPP) among antenatal mothers attending a state hospital in Sri Lanka. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out with the participation of 500 antenatal mothers attending clinic services at the Teaching Hospital, Mahamodara, Sri Lanka. A pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using the SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were employed in data analysis. Results: The majority of antenatal mothers were Sinhalese (92.6%) and Buddhists (91.2%). The majority was in the age group of 20-30 years (57.8%) and lived in rural areas (85.0%). Among the study participants, 41.2% were primiparous. The mean scores obtained for knowledge and attitude on FPP were 19.54 (±5.43) and 26.20 (±4.18), respectively. Among the participants, 41.0% had moderate and 27.4% had high level of knowledge on FPP. Ethnicity, religion, and parity (p<0.001) were associated with the level of knowledge. Sinhalese, Buddhist women with high parity, had a higher level of knowledge (p<0.001). Only 58.4% had a positive attitude on FPP. Ethnicity (p=0.04), religion (p=0.03) and educational status (p=0.02) were associated with attitude on FPP. Antenatal mothers who were, Sinhalese, Buddhist and educated up to G.C.E. (A/L) had positive attitudes on FPP (p<0.05). Conclusions: A high proportion of antenatal mothers had moderate to high level of knowledge and positive attitude on FPP, which were significantly associated with ethnicity, religion, education and parity. Keywords: Antenatal mothers, Associated factors, Attitude, Family planning practices, Knowledg

Experimental investigation of hyporheic interactions

Research on hyporheic interactions is not new to the present world, but most of the previous research is in the environmental and ecological points of view. This study was to understand the hyporheic interactions by means of engineering perspectives. Several experiments were carried out at laboratory scale to identify the relationships between important non-dimensional river parameters and non-dimensional interaction parameters. Results can be concluded to show some clear relationships among the non-dimensional parameters

Improving Foreign Language TeachingLearning in Exolingual Learning Contexts

In the globalised world today, more and more people aspire to becomemultilinguals. However, most people acquire their target foreign languages in theirnative countries, without having ever visited a place where those languages are used inday-to-day communication. Such learners, whom we name „exolingual‟ learners in thispaper (as opposed to „endolingual‟ learners who acquire languages in learning contextswhere their target language is spoken outside the classroom), have a greater risk offalling short of achieving their objective. Many reasons for such failures could be linkedto obstacles which are inherent to exolingual language learning contexts. However, inthe field of acquisitional linguistics, foreign language acquisition is often studiedalongside first and second language acquisition, that is, under language acquisition inendolingual learning contexts.Our objective in doing this study was to research into an exolingual context offoreign language learning and to precisely identify obstacles linked with such learningcontexts. In order to do this, we opted to study a particular exolingual context of foreignlanguage learning: namely the context of foreign language learning in Sri Lanka. Theselected target foreign language being French, the methods of research includedobservations of French classes, studying of French text books used in those foreignlanguage classes and discussions with students and teachers of French.At the conclusion of the study, we discovered how little the contexts ofendolingual and exolingual language learning have in common. Except for targeting acommon language in its fundamental form, endolingual and exolingual languagelearning situations differ largely from each other when we consider their classroom,social, cultural and academic set ups; teaching and learning methods, techniques andmaterial; learner motivation, objectives, etc. As an obvious consequence, the outcomeof the teaching/learning process in the two different learning situations too is hardly thesame.Key words: Foreign languages, Teaching/learning, Endolingual/exolingual contexts

Barriers to help-seeking from healthcare professionals amongst women who experience domestic violence:A qualitative study in Sri Lanka

BACKGROUND: Domestic violence (DV) is a major global public health problem which is associated with significant adverse consequences. Although Sri Lankan women who experience DV receive treatment from healthcare professionals (HCPs) for DV related physical and psychological problems, disclosure of DV within health services is quite low. This study explored barriers to disclosure of DV to HCPs among Sri Lankan women who experience DV. METHOD: This qualitative study took place in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. Twenty women who had experienced DV were recruited from Gender Based Violence Centers (Mithuru Piyasa Centers) and a toxicology unit of the two selected hospitals. Participants were purposefully selected using maximum variation sampling technique. In-depth interviews were conducted until data saturation was reached. Interviews were recorded, and analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Survivor related barriers to help seeking included women’s lack of knowledge and perceptions about the role of HCPs, lack of confidence in HCPs, fear of repercussions, personal attitudes towards DV, and their love and loyalty towards the perpetrator. Women preferred it if HCPs initiated discussions about DV, and they valued it when HCPs could be confidential and protect their privacy, and give enough time for DV related issues during consultations. A perpetrator related barrier was the controlling behavior of the perpetrator. Social stigma and social and cultural norms about the role of women emerged as the socio-cultural constraints to disclosure. CONCLUSIONS: Barriers to help seeking for DV from HCPs exist at individual, healthcare level, and societal level. Community programs are needed to increase women’s access to healthcare services and interventions should be implemented to develop effective, preventive, and supportive strategies at the healthcare system level. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-13116-w

The role of Serum NT-proBNP for predicting left ventricular systolic dysfunction in hospitalized patients in Sri Lanka

Background/aimsOnly a few studies have addressed the role of NT-proBNP in identifying Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction (LVSD) in South Asian populations. Therefore, the current study was aimed at assessing the use of serum NT-proBNP in predicting LVSD in a hospitalized population in Sri Lanka.MethodsA random sample of 278 individuals referred for echocardiography at a major Teaching Hospital consented for venous blood samples to be collected for serum NT-proBNP assay by sandwich ELISA. Based on the ejection fraction (LVEF) and fractional shortening (FS), participants were differentiated as LVSD (LVEF<50%, FS≤ 29%) and non-LVSD individuals (LVEF>60%). According to inclusion/exclusion criteria, the final study sample consisted of 100 LVSD patients and 41 non-LVSD individuals.ResultsThe mean ages of the LVSD and non-LVSD groups were 69.1 (±6.2 years) and 71.4 (±2.4 years) (p=0.066) respectively. The median NT-proBNP value (with IQR) among LVSD patients (528.2 pg/mL,355.2–924.2) was comparatively higher than that of non-LVSD individuals (207.3 pg/mL,177.5–343.0). Strong correlations of NT-proBNP level with LVEF (Spearman rho= -0.84, p<0.001) and FS (rho= -0.81, p<0.001) suggested that serum NT-proBNP concentration increases in parallel to deteriorating left ventricular functions. The AUROC of serum NT-proBNP for differentiating LVSD was 0.859 (95% CI:0.79 – 0.92) and the optimal cut-off level for predicting LVSD was 265pg/mL, with 90% sensitivity and 70% specificity.ConclusionCurrent Sri Lankan study revealed a considerable correlation of serum NT-proBNP level with LVSD and utilizing such an assay for screening will facilitate adequate evidence to rule-out LVSD among high-risk residents

Comparing Nursing Interventions Delivered With Risk Factors Of Patients With Coronary Artery Disease? A Retrospective Study Within Teaching Hospital In China.

Abstract: Background: Coronary artery disease remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality Worldwide. Previous reviews pointed that nursing interventions are beneficial for coronary artery patients. However, most interventions focused on education and counselling, but not consistent with the outcome set; still did not consider patient’s coronary artery disease risky characteristics. Related studies in China also difficult to find. Therefore this study was conducted to investigate kinds of nursing interventions delivered to coronary artery patients and match them with patient’s risk factors of coronary artery disease. Results of this study were expected to add new knowledge that will alert nurses to consider coronary artery risk factors which in turn might enable the development of appropriate approaches to improve patient’s wellbeing hence reduce frequent coronary artery morbidity and mortality. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective design using clinical case notes was employed. Study was undertaken in coronary care wards at the teaching hospital in China from November 2017 to September 2018. Structured-literature supported self-designed questionnaire was utilized for data collection. Chi square (χ2) test and multivariate logistic regression for adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval were used to compare the relationship among independent (patient’s risk coronary artery disease factors) and dependent (nursing interventions) categorical variables. Ethical permission was granted accordingly. Results: A total of 300 coronary artery patients’ case notes were audited with mean age 63±11.2 years. Of these 175 (58.3%) were males. 126(42%) were smoking and 224(74.7%) were hypertensive. More evidence based nursing interventions than education and counselling were found to be delivered to these patients. “Administer coronary artery disease medication and their instructions” was mostly delivered to many patients 291(97%) while “counsel to cope with stress” was the least one 60 (20.0%). Three of eight nursing interventions delivered significantly matched with three or all of these patient’s coronary artery risk variables (age, smoking, hypertension and diabetes) (p \u3c 0.05 and/or \u3c 0.01) with Adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) within their significant ranges. Conclusion: This study delivers valuable insight that, nurses in the studied teaching hospital delivered beneficial evidence based nursing interventions to patients with coronary artery disease which significantly matched with their risk factors of coronary artery illness. However, care for stress was low hence needs improvement. Furthermore, research is needed to get consistency of nursing interventions with patient’s end point clinical outcomes for further appraisal of nursing efforts in caring CAD patient