No abstract

Physical inactivity is a modifiable risk factor of many non-communicable diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the pattern of physical activity among Sri Lankan adults in the district of Colombo, Sri Lanka. The study was carried out among a sample of 1320 adults aged 20 to 59 years, selected using stratified, cluster sampling method. Physical activity was assessed using the long form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire validated for Sri Lanka. The prevalence of sufficient physical activity was 82.0% (CI = 78.5-85.0) for males and 79.7% (CI = 76.5-82.6) for females. The odds of having sufficient activity were lower with increase in the level of urbanisation. Activity was achieved mainly through domestic and transport related activity. Only 21.7% carried out at least some activity for leisure. As Sri Lanka continues to urbanize, it is important to find strategies to increase the level of activity especially at leisure.

No abstract

No abstract

BackgroundEnvironmental characteristics are known to be associated with patterns of physical activity (PA). Although several validated tools exist, to measure the environment characteristics, these instruments are not necessarily suitable for application in all settings especially in a developing country. This study was carried out to develop and validate an instrument named the “Physical And Social Environment Scale – PASES” to assess the physical and social environmental factors associated with PA. This will enable identification of various physical and social environmental factors affecting PA in Sri Lanka, which will help in the development of more tailored intervention strategies for promoting higher PA levels in Sri Lanka.MethodsThe PASES was developed using a scientific approach of defining the construct, item generation, analysis of content of items and item reduction. Both qualitative and quantitative methods of key informant interviews, in-depth interviews and rating of the items generated by experts were conducted. A cross sectional survey among 180 adults was carried out to assess the factor structure through principal component analysis. Another cross sectional survey among a different group of 180 adults was carried out to assess the construct validity through confirmatory factor analysis. Reliability was assessed with test re-test reliability and internal consistency using Spearman r and Cronbach's alpha respectively.ResultsThirty six items were selected after the expert ratings and were developed into interviewer administered questions. Exploration of factor structure of the 34 items which were factorable through principal component analysis with Quartimax rotation extracted 8 factors. The 34 item instrument was assessed for construct validity with confirmatory factor analysis which confirmed an 8 factor model (x2 = 339.9, GFI = 0.90). The identified factors were infrastructure for walking, aesthetics and facilities for cycling, vehicular traffic safety, access and connectivity, recreational facilities for PA, safety, social cohesion and social acceptance of PA with the two non-factorable factors, residential density and land use mix. The PASES also showed good test re-test reliability and a moderate level of internal consistency.ConclusionsThe PASES is a valid and reliable tool which could be used to assess the physical and social environment associated with PA in Sri Lanka.

Road deposited sediment (RDS) and road dust analyses are useful techniques to understand the heavy metal (HM) pollution in an urban area. Therefore, this study focused on the chemical characteristics of RDS and road dust in order to evaluate the pollution conditions in the Colombo Metropolitan Region (CMR) in terms of HMs. Forty six (46) RDS samples and forty eight (48) road dust samples were collected, and elemental concentrations of Zn, Cu, Pb, Fe, Mn and Cr were determined. Out of these measured elements, the most abundant element in all the samples was Fe, which is a common element in the basement lateritic soil in the area. Cu, Pb, Fe and Cr concentrations in RDS are high in industrial areas, while Zn and Mn are high in commercial areas. Except Fe, all the other element levels were higher in road dust than in RDS. Data analysis revealed that vehicle-related activities are the dominant source for the metals in the city. Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe contents were significantly higher than the background levels of the area. Statistical analysis reconfirms that road dust is more polluted than RDS in terms of Zn and Cu. According to the geoaccumulation index, road dust is moderate to strongly polluted and RDS are moderately polluted. Higher pollution conditions of road dust may be due to the resuspension of dust particles. Spatial distribution patterns show that HMs of anthropogenic origin were accumulated towards the North and Northwestern parts where the transportation related activities are centered in the CMR. However, the prevailing natural conditions such as wind direction, geomorphology and basement soil also control the level of contamination in the area.

Background: Adopting an active lifestyle is a complex behavioural process, which is influenced by various factors. Social environment characteristics are well recognized to influence health and physical activity (PA) behaviour. However, social environment appears to be the least studied area of PA. Objective: To assess the social environment and its association with PA in Sri Lanka Methods: A qualitative methodology was used. We conducted 6 focus group discussions among 58 adult residents, using a guide to facilitate the discussions and to collect the information. Purposive sampling was carried out to gather participants from areas differing in the level of urbanicity. Results: Majority of the participants in the focus group discussions were females (51.7%) and many had secondary level education. Healthy social interactions and networks and unity and respect for person in a community were seen to facilitate PA. Undesired behaviour in the community hindered youth and women in being active especially at recreational places (playing sport or exercising) and on the roads (walking for leisure and transport). Attitudes and beliefs were also identified. The reasons for these social attitudes were due to lack of proper knowledge, the socioeconomic gap and lack of policies for social equality. Conclusions: Social environment is an important factor in promoting PA in Sri Lanka and needs to be addressed when planning to promote active living.

The chemistry of surface waters and groundwater draining agricultural catchments in the north-central and northwestern areas of Sri Lanka is described. Hydrochemical data from 296 water samples are used to evaluate water quality and to identify the processes that control nitrate and phosphate concentrations in the water. The results indicate that nutrient concentrations in the groundwaters are greater than those in the surface waters. Increased nutrient levels were observed in groundwater in a selected area in the fortnight following fertilizer application. Detailed geochemical investigations of selected groundwater samples reveal a gradual rise of nitrate-N and other solutes along the horizontal flow direction. Compared to the application rates of fertilizer in the area, the average nutrient concentrations in all waters are relatively low (1.5 mg/l nitrate and 0.5 mg/l phosphate) and stable. The results suggest that prevailing reducing conditions, iron-rich overburden soil cover and manmade canal networks control nutrient accumulation in the groundwater.