Introduction Although prevalence of HIV infection in Sri Lanka is low, there is a gradual increase in incidence. Effective anti-retroviral treatment (ART) controls the virus, improves immunity and reduces transmission of HIV greatly. Objective W e studied the impact of tuberculosis and response to ART in a cohort of patients with HIV in Sri Lanka. Methodology A retrospective study of all patients with HIV followed up at the ART clinic at National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Angoda, Sri Lanka was carried out. Their socio-demographic data, clinical presentations, anti-retroviral treatment and clinical, immunological and virological response were analysed. Results Study included 72 patients. Mean age was 47.19 (SD10.354) years. Male to female ratio was 1:0.8. Forty nine (68%) patients were diagnosed with HIV after presenting with an opportunistic infection. Of these, 25 had tuberculosis (TB). Another 5 developed TB later. Fifty two (72.2%) had CD4 cell counts <200/l which included 45 (62.5%) who had CD4<100/l. Twenty six (36.1%) patients were bed ridden and a further 6 (8.3%) were physically dependent at the time of diagnosis. Mean duration of ART was 82.4 months. With ART, CD4 cell counts and mobility improved. In 38 (52.8%) CD4 counts increased to more than 500/l. Viral load became undetectable in 62 (86.1%). Sixty nine (95.8%) became completely physically independent. Conclusion TB is a common co-infection in patients with HIV in Sri Lanka. Though many patients with HIV presented with poor immunological and physical status, ART markedly improved these outcomes and reduced the viral load which results in prevention of spread of HIV. Therefore, ART should be supported and encouraged.
Introduction: Information is vital in managing the response to STI and HIV. An electronic Information Management System(EIMS) was introduced to National STD/AIDS Control Programme (NSACP) in early-2019 to streamline information management. A user experience study of EIMS was a timely need.Objective: This study aimed to describe the user experience of the EIMS at the NSACP clinics (Colombo Central clinic, Balapitiya and Kaluthara.) Methods: EIMS-users were invited by emailing a self-administered questionnaire. Standard Online questionnaire on user experience was used covering a wide range of classical usability aspects (efficiency, perspicuity, dependability) and user experience aspects (originality, stimulation). The responses were rated from -3(horribly-bad) to +3(extremely-good). Mean scores were categorized as negative (<-0.8) positive (>+0.8) and neutral (-0.8-0.8). Users perspectives were gathered using openended questions.Results: Out of 47 invitees, thirty-six responded (76%) to the questionnaire. The majority of the participants were postgraduate trainees or medical-officers (19). The majority (55.6%) had used EIMS for one to six months duration. Best performing aspect was Novelty (rating-1.86). The worstperforming was Dependability (0.56). However, all other aspects were rated above positively. Worst performing single item was system speed with a rating of 0.27. EIMS scored above average in both hedonic (1.17) and pragmatic (0.99) qualities. The overall User experience score of the EIMs was positive (1.04) Conclusion: EIMS has been received positively by the staff using it. The majority found it to be efficient and novel. However, the majority also highlighted the connectivity issues and slowness of the system and wished for a more stable system.
We estimated the incidence of intentional injuries occurring between June to November 2009 in the district of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka having a mid year population of 755 000 which result in 113 persons in sq km. Head and neck injuries have been found to be a main cause for hospital admissions due to assaults. The mean age of the victims was 29.25 years. The commonest area that was assaulted were ears (80.6%). More than 80%of victims were assaulted with hand and 95% of the assailants were known to the victims. The assailant was under the infl uence of alcohol in more than 78%. Of the victims 22.2%had history of previous assaults. The rate of intentional injury was directly correlated with both the degree of illiteracy and the poverty level of the community of residence. We conclude that intentional injuries are relatively common in this population and that attempts to prevent them must be directed to the women and children who are at greatest risk.
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